Alfa Romeo is set to announce their second driver after the Brazilian GP, and will reveal who will partner Valtteri Bottas in 2022.
The Italian team announced that Bottas will join them from Mercedes at the end of the season. The Finn signed for the Sauber-run team on a multi-year deal, and will be the main man of the team trying to get into the midfield.
There hasn’t been any news regarding who their second driver will be. The relationship with current driver Antonio Giovinazzi has been deteriorating with each passing day. The Italian is very likely to leave the team, leaving them with a decision to make.
Reports state that Alfa Romeo is set to announce their second driver after the Brazilian GP, and said that the decision has been made already.
“Yes, we have already made a decision on the other driver,” team boss Frederic Vasseur told France’s Canal Plus, as quoted by grandpx.news.
“Announcing the name is simply a formality. You will find out our decision on the evening of November 16 after the Brazilian GP.”
The favourites to partner Bottas are Guanyu Zhou and Oscar Piastri, both of whom are members of Alpine’s academy.
“That means I have to sit down soon with (Alpine CEO) Laurent (Rossi), but the link to Renault is not a problem for me. It could be a Ferrari driver too. We don’t have to work together already,” he said.
Progression
Vasseur also stated that Alfa Romeo could move up the grid in 2022, and said that they are targeting a midfield finish.
“My personal feeling is that we will make a good jump with the engine, possibly also with the drivers, and we decided to stop development of the 2021 car very soon to work in 2022 – before the others,” he continued.
“Others will also have to reduce their expenses while we operate within the budget ceiling. Our motivation is to improve.
“If we finish sixth, I’ll be happy. I don’t need to be first now,” he concluded with a smile.
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