Alfa Romeo to avenge near-miss in the United States

Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo to avenge near-miss in the United States

Alfa Romeo came agonisingly close to a top 10 finish in Turkey

Sam Hall

Tuesday 19 October 2021 14:15

Alfa Romeo team principal Frédéric Vasseur is targetting a points return from the United States Grand Prix after missing out by two corners in Turkey.

Alfa Romeo sits second-last in the constructors' standings with just six races of the season remaining.

A recent run of top 10 finishes for Williams has opened 16 point gap to eighth and although it is not impossible to close the margin, the fact Alfa Romeo has scored just seven points all year makes it unlikely.

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“We approach the race in Austin with one objective in mind – getting back into the points," said Vasseur.

"We scored in Russia and we went within two corners of doing the same in Turkey, which shows ever race between now and the end of the year is an opportunity to aim for the top ten on Sunday.

"We are really keen to do well here in the US, we know the allure of the Alfa Romeo brand here in the States and what it would mean for all the fans to have a strong race here.”

For Kimi Raikkonen, the Circuit of the Americas was the scene of his final victory for Ferrari and, barring an exceptionally chaotic race between now and the end of the season, his F1 career.

“I have some good memories of COTA," said Raikkonen. "Of course, it was the place where I scored my last win so it’s a nice thing to look back to, but once I get into the car that doesn’t matter.

"We know we have to do everything well if we want to come away with something from the race, and that starts on Friday.

"We had two races in which the conditions were changing and we had to react to them, now let’s see what the weekend in America has to offer and where we end up.”