On the side of the road

A positive conclusion had hoped Frédéric Vasseur. The team Manager of Alfa Romeo wanted to take "the momentum going into the winter break." But then disillusionment was again wide. According to the ranks 13 and 16 in the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi was Vasseur's employees don't return with points and momentum to Hinwil, but with open questions and a lot of homework. And Vasseur – always striving, peace broadcast is likely to internally cook.

The Swiss Team, the bears, since the beginning of the year, an Italian name, takes place. Although Kimi Raikkonen (especially he) and Antonio Giovinazzi took more points than their predecessor, Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson. And yet in the end there was only the 8. World Cup rank – 16 counter, missing to place, 7 and an additional 3 million dollars in prize money. The season of 2018 had the title of "Clean again" deserves. Now Alfa Romeo is but not much more, but clearly failed when trying to establish themselves in the highly competitive midfield as far forward as possible.

Frédéric Vasseur, the team Manager of Alfa Romeo, looks back on a difficult season. (Image: )

to Improve you were in Hinwil – secretly you dreamed of to be the most powerful force behind the top teams. As bizarre as it would be, because especially in the first half of the season, the Team indicated that it had the right stuff, with Räikkönens 7. Ranks in Bahrain, France and Hungary, for example. In the meantime, the team was on the 5., short on the 4. In the world championship rankings.

But in the second half of the season the GP of Brazil was the lone Highlight. The 22 points in São Paulo were a nice reward. That Shine is the result Of, however, is deceptive: Without four - and accidents in the case of the top teams in the closing stages of that race, it would have become the ranks 9 and 10 instead of 4 and 5 – and the Team would have brought in the final bill even less points than 2018.

Who does such things, must not be surprised if he is handed the world Cup to the rear.

lasted the longer the season, the prospects were grim. Short of the 8 seemed to be even. The championship will be in danger. Even worse, it could have been for Alfa Romeo hardly come. The not also has to do with the development of the cars worked this time as well as 2018. At that time, the Hinwil made the connection to the midfield, because their Updates worked. Heuer't fit, however, after the summer break, a lot. Suddenly, they no longer remained on the track, they brought the tyres properly up to temperature the Grip was missing, and the results also.

in addition, Alfa Romeo has made a lot of mistakes. In Germany, cheered only on the ranks 7 and 8, was then punished, but because of a technical irregularity had on the outcome of the race may not be a big influence. Ten points were this way. In Belgium, Giovinazzi threw his car in the second-to-last round completely unchallenged into the gravel – and four world championship points were gone. And in Mexico we had to leave Giovinazzi at the pit stop with only three tires. Who can afford such things must not be surprised if he is handed the world Cup to the rear. Perfection is in high demand in the formula 1 and constancy. This was worse, shows a view into the statistics: in 2018, drove the two Clean-pilots in 14 races in the points, this year only 11.

Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi took more points Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson. You go 2020 for Alfa Romeo. (Image: )

The prerequisites for a reversal of the trend would actually be because of The driver remain both on Board – Räikkönens contract to continue running, Giovinazzi has not received the second Cockpit, with the blessing of Ferrari, although he impressed throughout the season. The set of rules with little changes. And in the technical field, there is an internal man, took over with Jan Monchaux is the successor to the Ferrari returning to the technology heads of Simone Resta.

Worse, the situation makes sure of that. And anyway, the prospects in Hinwil, Switzerland in the foreseeable future to be even better – also thanks to the Budget-the upper limit in the amount of $ 175 million, which will apply from 2021. You should ensure that the gap between the top teams and the Rest will be smaller. For Teams such as Alfa Romeo this is the biggest opportunity of the past few years.

Created: 02.12.2019, 14:17 PM