Unlucky number P11 again for Alfa Romeo at the Mexican Grand Prix?

Alfa Romeo boss, Frederic Vasseur, is fully expecting another battle for minor honors in Mexico given how many times the team have finished P11 this season.

Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen have both finished in the first place outside of the points-scoring positions on three occasions each so far during this tough campaign for Alfa Romeo, the former finishing P11 in both of the last two races in Turkey and Austin.

And, despite the change to high-altitude conditions at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix, Vasseur is still hopeful Alfa Romeo will be there or thereabouts come the checked flag on Sunday.

Austin, you were awesome



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— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) October 31, 2021

“The three races we’ll tackle in the next three weeks will be a test for the whole team, especially coming towards the end of such a long season,” Vasseur said.

“However, they also represent a big opportunity as we know there will be chances to come home with points in each of them. Mexico City is a very peculiar track, and the thin air makes set-up choices a challenge.

“We’ve seen strategy play a big role there in the past, especially when it came to tires, so we will need to do our job well both in the cockpit and the pit-wall to make sure we maximize our returns from this race .

“We have been 11th six times this season, thrice as many times as anyone else on the grid, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if we end up fighting for the points once again on Sunday.”

Points are also on Kimi Raikkonen’s mind as he heads one race closer to Formula 1 retirement.

“We hope to be able to score points in Mexico City,” Raikkonen added.

“We went really close in the last couple of races so our pace should allow us to be in the fight but, as always, it will be a matter of getting everything right across the weekend.

“This is a very slippery track and it’s easy to make mistakes, especially in qualifying, but it’s really rewarding when you put a lap together.

“Saturday will be important – there are overtaking opportunities after the long straights, but elsewhere it’s really hard to pass as the track gets narrow and twisty in the middle sector.”