Alfa Romeo Racing Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen has revealed he walked away from the 2020 season “frustrated” after enduring the worst year of his Formula 1 career. Kimi and team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi managed just four points apiece last year for Alfa Romeo who finished eighth in the constructors’ standings ahead of Haas and Williams.
In the drivers’ standings, Kimi was 16th, the lowest placing from his 18 years in F1, a position ahead of Giovinazzi by virtue of the Finn’s two ninth-place finishes.
Kimi’s worst season before 2020 was his rookie year with Sauber in 2001 when he scored nine points, albeit at a time when only 10 were awarded for a win and the top-six drivers scored. Converted to the current system he would have collected 66.
“I’m frustrated but I think we did a decent job,” said Raikkonen. “Obviously, we weren’t where we wanted to be. Our hopes were quite high but it was soon obvious to all of us we were not where we’d like to be, that we just had to work and try to do a better job this year. But that’s how it goes.” – Kimi explained.
Last season featured a heavily revised calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic with racing not beginning until July, but Raikkonen claimed it was “quite clear” from February testing the team lacked pace.
“For sure, it’s not what we expected because the season started late,” added the 41-year-old – “I think it became quite clear after testing that we were not where we wanted to be but there are many reasons for why we were not as fast as we were hoping. On that side, it’s disappointing for all of us. We start from zero again and obviously, a lot has to be done for this year to be in a better position but we will do that.” – Kimi concluded.
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