F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Raikkonen unsatisfied with Alfa Romeo results despite consistency

Despite his consistent run in the points with Alfa Romeo since the season started, Kimi Raikkonen isn't entirely satisfied with his team's performance.

Raikkonen is living his third and final chapter in F1 with the team that gave him his debut in Grand Prix racing back in 2001.

As he comes full circle, the 39-year-old aspires to help the Swiss outfit continue a move up the grid that started last year after Sauber overhauled its financial and management structures.

Raikkonen is the only midfield driver to have scored a top-ten finish in the first four races of 2019, so the Finn is contributing nicely to his team's progress. Yet he feels that Alfa Romeo hasn't extracted the most out of its C38 so far.

"I think we’ve been getting some points at least," Raikkonen told Motorsport Week.

"But I don’t think we got everything out of any of the weekends from the package, so on that side it’s a bit disappointing, but we’ll keep fine tuning things.

"It’s a young group of people so we need to do things better a little bit here and there and I’m sure it will turn out to be good."

©AlfaRomeo

Raikkonen's weekend in Baku was marked by his exclusion from qualifying, decided late on Sunday morning, after the front wing of Alfa Romeo's C38 failed a deflection test.

It forced a pitlane start on the Finn, but he's spirited drive - and difficult one - was rewarded with a P10 point.

“We got one point, it’s better than nothing, but it was difficult, just not enough grip really," said Raikkonen.

"I don’t think we really made the tyres work well and get the grip out of it but we did what we could and I assume next race will be easier for us."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.

Recent Posts

Horner: Max 'answered critics' with epic Sao Paulo GP drive

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner hailed Max Verstappen’s sensational Sao Paulo Grand Prix victory…

3 mins ago

Sainz left puzzled by double crash drama in rainy São Paulo

Carlos Sainz was left scratching his head after a disastrous Sunday at the Sao Paulo…

1 hour ago

Alonso pushed through agonizing pain to complete Sao Paulo GP

Fernando Alonso braved both physical agony and mechanical challenges in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix,…

3 hours ago

Alpine double-podium in Brazil could deliver $30 million windfall

Alpine’s remarkable double podium at the São Paulo Grand Prix with Esteban Ocon and Pierre…

17 hours ago

F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2024 São Paulo GP

Alexander Albon, Williams (Did Not Start): 5.5/10 Alex Albon is definitely going through something of…

19 hours ago

Jos Verstappen rips British media after Brazilian Max fest

Jos Verstappen wasted no time after his son spectacular win at the São Paulo Grand…

20 hours ago