F1 2021 final assessment proves another colourless year for Alfa Romeo

At the end of the Formula 1 season it is time to evaluate the performance of all the teams and drivers. Haas F1 did not fare too well in GPblog's final evaluation. Let's see whether Alfa Romeo Racing 's evaluation looks any brighter.

Alfa Romeo Racing: 5.6

The average score of Alfa Romeo Racing after 22 Grands Prix is 5.6. The team had a rather colourless season, although they finished in the points in six different Grands Prix. The formation of team boss Frederic Vasseur finished with thirteen points in penultimate place in the Constructors' Championship. Eighth places for Kimi Räikkönen in Russia and Mexico proved to be the maximum for Alfa Romeo.

All teams had two development engines available prior to the year. Alfa Romeo decided to use both tokens to improve the nose and other parts of the front end of the C41. In qualifying, it brought Alfa Romeo some success, as Giovinazzi managed to reach Q3 several times, but in Sunday's race they dropped back down again.

At the end of the season, there were rumours that Andretti wanted to take over the team. The deal fell through and Alfa Romeo will most probably be racing in Formula 1 again in 2022. What is certain is that things will have to improve, because while thirteen points in previous seasons (due to poor performance by Williams) was good for P8, dropping to ninth place is not something that will do the Alfa Romeo name any good.

Internal duel

Although Antonio Giovinazzi was a lot faster overall in qualifying, his experienced teammate Kimi Räikkönen clearly managed to score more points. Giovinazzi was faster on Saturday, Räikkönen on Sunday.

Giovinazzi: 5.8

Prior to the 2021 season, it was already clear that Giovinazzi had to show his best side to have a chance of a contract extension, but these statistics were apparently not convincing enough for Alfa Romeo's management. In terms of feeling, it was a better year than 2020, but in terms of points he scored one point less this season.

Giovinazzi didn't stand out much in 2021. He didn't suffer any major crashes and with a bit more luck he could have scored more points. His team messed up the Mexican Grand Prix for him after a completely wrong strategy. Furthermore, more points could have been scored in Monaco. Giovinazzi will not be back in Formula 1 however. Guanyu Zhou is his replacement. Where the Italian will drive in 2022 is still unknown.

Räikkönen: 6.3

Räikkönen was actually less than his teammate for much of the year, but excellent performances in Russia and Mexico (twice a 9.0) meant that he scored more points than Giovinazzi and his average mark has improved significantly. In Portugal and France he failed with a 3.0 and 4.0 respectively.

For Räikkönen it was his last season in Formula 1. Fellow countryman Bottas has filled the vacant place and hopes to storm back into the sub-top with Alfa Romeo.