Alfa Romeo expects to call its second Formula 1 driver for 2022 after the Brazilian Grand Prix next week following the failure of the Andretti takeover deal.
© Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing C41
While the Swiss squad signed Valtteri Bottas for 2022, the decision about the Finn’s teammate took several weeks.
While F2 leader Guanyu Zhou was a favorite for a while, the possibility of a buy-in from IndyCar team Andretti Autosport put the driver’s affair on hold when his young line-up Colton Herta emerged as a contender for an F1 switch.
But now Andretti’s talks with the owners of Alfa Romeo are over, the driver’s situation has become a little easier.
Team principal Fred Vasseur is now suggesting that it will be a matter of days before Alfa Romeo makes the call and thinks it will likely be after the Sao Paulo race next week.
“We are going to make a decision now as we are a little less in the limelight for various reasons,” said Vasseur in Mexico.
“We’ll make a decision in the next few days, probably to Brazil.”
© autosport.com
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Alfa Romeo Racing, and Günther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1
Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal, Alfa Romeo Racing, and Günther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
While Alpine Academy riders Zhou and F2 front runner Oscar Piastri are among the contenders, Vasseur insists that the team management will not make rash decisions.
“We have to keep calm about this,” he explained.
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“It’s an important decision, it’s not an easy one. We will make a decision shortly and you will be informed as soon as the decision has been made. “
While current driver Antonio Giovinazzi still hopes his experience on the team can help his cause, Vasseur says he remains open-minded about the importance of having some driver stability for the next year.
“It is a question of knowing whether there is interest in a change [both drivers] with the new regulation or when stability is important with the new regulations, ”he said.
“We know that the preparations will be very short with the two times three days [of testing] and could eventually be less if there was a reliability or weather problem.
“That means we have to be ready from day one because we know very well that in this type of championship you can very often get the big points for a midfield team in the first event.
“It is true that it is [driver stability] a factor in the decision, but it’s not the only one. “
© autosport.com
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing C41
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing C41
Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Vasseur not disappointed with the collapse of the Andretti deal
Vasseur was not directly involved in the talks between Andretti and the Sauber management team, but says that the Hinwilers’ decision not to let go of the team was actually a vote of confidence in the commitment of the current owners.
When asked where the failed Andretti deal left Alfa Romeo, Vasseur said: “In good shape.
“I think it’s a very strong message that current shareholders are sending to the company and that everyone has appreciated.
“There is also enormous pressure on your shoulders. All team members and all employees in the company, and I am the first, we are feeling the pressure and I think there is positive pressure to get results in the future. “
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