The Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula One Team will run a special commemorative livery for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit to celebrate the circuit and the history of the Italian Grand Prix.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s action, Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal and CEO of Sauber Motorsports AG said:
First of all, we wish a speedy recovery to Kimi: he is still in isolation at home, with no symptoms, and we can’t wait to have him back with us. Robert will be stepping in to deputise for him, after the good job he did in the Netherlands, and the team will do its best to support him. We come to Italy ready for our home race: after the spectacle of Zandvoort, we can’t wait to see what the Tifosi have in store. We will celebrate the occasion with a special livery and a big programme of activities at Alfa Romeo’s historic headquarters, but we want also the action on track to add to the festive spirit. We made another step forward in Holland, with our best qualifying performance since 2014, and it’s only through circumstances that we weren’t able to be in the battle for the points on Sunday. Monza will be a completely different challenge and the Sprint Qualifying could also be a chance to mix the cards in play, but we’ll go out ready to give 100% once again. A good result in front of this crowd would be special.
Antonio Giovinazzi is looking forward to his home race saying:
Racing at home is always a special occasion, and to do so in front of the Monza fans will make it even better. We’ve seen last week what a great atmosphere supporters can make and I hope it will be the same in Italy this weekend. I remember the race in 2019 and it is one of the highlights of my career, so I hope to repeat a similar performance when we get to the track again. As a circuit, Monza is as far from Zandvoort as it can be, but hopefully we can still be competitive in qualifying and get a good result in the race.I’d be nice, also for Kimi who cannot be with us this weekend.”
The team confirmed earlier this week that Kimi Raikkonen will miss this weekend’s race as he continues to recover from COVID-19 and as a result their test and reserve driver Robert Kubica will once again drive this weekend and speaking ahead of the race he said:
First of all, I want to share my best wishes for Kimi: I hope he makes a full recovery and returns to the cockpit soon. I am looking forward to racing in Monza, an incredible track in which I claimed my first podium, in 2006. Unlike Zandvoort, it is a track I know well and this will help, particularly since the Sprint Qualifying weekend format means we will be one practice session short. I am happy with what I did in Holland and I can’t wait to help the team out one more time in Monza.”