Alfa Romeo Racing has announced that Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will race on with the Swiss outfit in 2021 as the team opts for stability regarding its future.
The renewal will see the 41-year-old Raikkonen - arguably one of the sport's most popular drivers - embark on his 19th season of Grand Prix racing, while Giovinazzi, whose seat with Alfa appeared to be under threat from fellow Ferrari protégé Mick Schumacher, will head undertake his third full season in F1.
"I am very pleased for the team to continue working with Kimi and Antonio for another season," said Alfa team boss Fred Vasseur.
"Kimi is a driver who needs no introduction: his talent has been clear to everyone since 2001 and I still see the passion and motivation in him every time I see him at work.
"He can be trusted to deliver 100% of what the car can produce and he is a true leader for the people working around him.
"Antonio finished last year’s campaign strongly and he picked up where he left off and kept improving throughout 2020.
"From the track to the engineering briefings, Antonio has played a crucial role for our team and he has thoroughly deserved a new contract for 2021.
"His work ethic, commitment to the team and contagious enthusiasm are a huge asset for Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN."
Raikkonen, who started his career in F1 in 2001 with Sauber, says the "family" atmosphere at Hinwil is a special ingredient that keeps him motivated.
"Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN is more than a team to me, it is like a second family," said the Finn.
"So many of the faces that were around me when I made my Formula One debut in 2001 are still here and the unique atmosphere of this team is what gives me that extra motivation to keep going in what will be my 19th season in the sport, next year.
© AlfaRomeo
"I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in the team’s project and in what we feel we can achieve together.
"This is a team that values hard work over words and this fits well with my style: I am looking forward to next year and hopefully making some steps forward towards the front of the midfield with the team."
Giovinazzi, 26, underscored the benefits of the Swiss outfit's "continuity"
"The team has put a lot of faith in me and I have done my best to repay this confidence with hard work and commitment: we have achieved some good results and I feel I have done my part to make the team progress, but the road ahead is still long and there is much more we want to achieve together," said the Italian.
"There will be a lot of continuity between this season and the next one, so everything we work on between now and the end of the year will already count for next, and we are ready to give it all we have."
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