Alfa Romeo reveals deadline for 2022 line-up decision

Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur says he'll likely make a call on his 2022 driver line-up by September.

Last month, the Hinwil squad announced that it had extended its partnership with the Alfa Romeo brand, but Vasseur will have the last word when it comes to choosing those who will fill the team's seats next season, although he insists that it will be a collective decision.

"I don’t decide it alone," Vasseur told Switzerland's Blick. "The whole company decides. We’ll know who’s driving by September."

Speculation is rife that Valtteri Bottas will move to Hinwil, a prospect supported by Vasseur's many visits to the Mercedes hospitality unit during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, while Mick Schumacher and fellow Ferrari junior Robert Shwartzman has also been cited as a potential options for Alfa.

But Vasseur insists that it's all just conjecture for now.

"Everyone will have to wait until September," said the Frenchman. "Our project makes the team interesting for all the drivers who are on the market."

Regarding Alfa Romeo's incumbents, both Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen have been with the team since 2019.

The Italian's performances have become more consistent over time, but the 27-year-old is no longer ranked as a promising young talent in F1, having also arguably failed to wow the establishment during his tenure with the team.

As for Raikkonen, many believe that the Iceman should call it a day on his career in F1 at 41.

However, Vasseur remains impressed with the Finn's unwavering commitment to his job, even after 19 seasons at the pinnacle of motorsport.

• Read also: Alfa Romeo emerges as potential destination for Bottas

As a measure of the 2007 F1 world champion's motivation, Vasseur recently revealed Raikkonen's crucial role in the development of Sauber's new simulator tool, a laborious task that never excited the Finn in the past.

"Kimi has become one of the pillars of our simulator program," Vasseur told Formula 1 Magazine.

"We have made great strides with the program in recent months, and Kimi really plays a leading role.

"He's at the factory before and after every race and it's good to see how hard he works. That means he is still highly motivated."

Could F1's senior citizen - who started his career at Sauber in 2001 - round off his career in the sport with a 20th campaign with Alfa? Find out in September.

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