F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Raikkonen puts Covid in the past to focus on Sochi

Kimi Raikkonen will rejoin the grid this weekend in Sochi, having been deemed fit to race after testing positive for Covid earlier this month.

The Alfa Romeo driver was sidelined ahead of Saturday's running at the Dutch Grand Prix based on his mandatory Covid test from Friday.

Raikkonen then flew back home to isolate, with Alfa reserve Robert Kubica subbing for the Iceman on the spot at Zandvoort and then again at Monza.

But the future F1 retiree is now fit and well and ready to return to the fray for his 343rd career start in F1.

"I’m pleased to be back in the car after missing two rounds," he said ahead of this weekend's Russian Grand Prix.

"Obviously nobody wants to test positive, but it happened, and we had to follow the rules. But that is all in the past and now my focus is on Sochi.

"The team has shown some potential in the last few races, now we need to convert that into a good result. I don’t think being back will feel any different, I just want to get on with my job and hopefully have a good race."

Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi enjoyed a top ten performance in Monza's sprint event which, after factoring in several grid demotions, put the Italian P7 on the grid on race day.

However, a mistake on the opening lap sent Giovinazzi down the order. But the 27-year-old who is fighting to save his driver with Alfa is hoping for a better result in Sochi.

"This weekend offers us another chance to achieve the good result we have been close to in the last few races," said Giovinazzi.

"I am excited to be back in the car, both Zandvoort and Monza showed how much pace we had and how we could fight towards the front of the grid.

"Unfortunately, both times things didn’t go as planned, but we can build on those positives and bring home some points in Sochi. We will give everything we have."

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

Sao Paulo GP qualifying postponed after repeated delays

The FIA has postponed Saturday’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix qualifying session due to adverse weather…

23 mins ago

McLaren: Team orders always ‘make life difficult for ourselves’

McLaren's successful 1-2 finish in the Brazilian Sprint race came with a dose of complexity,…

3 hours ago

Verstappen demoted to P4 following VSC infringement in Sprint

Max Verstappen has been demoted from third to fourth in the final standings of Saturday’s…

4 hours ago

Norris thanks Piastri for handing Sprint win, but not ‘proud’

Lando Norris secured victory in Saturday's Sprint event in Sao Paulo thanks to a McLaren…

5 hours ago

São Paulo GP: Norris handed sprint win by Piastri

McLaren clinched a valuable 1-2 sweep of the São Paulo sprint race, with polesitter Oscar…

6 hours ago

2024 São Paulo Grand Prix - Sprint Race results

Full results from the Sprint race for the São Paulo Grand Prix at São Paulo,…

6 hours ago