Kimi Raikkonen says new parts set to be introduced at the French Grand Prix should lift Alfa Romeo’s prospects, as it bids to halt its current difficult run.
Raikkonen began his second stint at the team with four straight points finishes to emerge as one of Formula 1’s lead midfielders, but the squad’s form has since dipped.
Alfa Romeo struggled as temperatures rose in Spain while in Monaco encouraging Thursday practice pace went unrewarded after the team lacked performance in qualifying.
The squad’s C38 struggled for pace through much of the weekend in Canada, with Raikkonen suffering his first Q1 elimination for almost four years, before taking only 15th in race trim.
Team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi, who spun, classified 13th, as Alfa Romeo held ninth overall, but lost further ground in the midfield standings.
“It was sort of a tough weekend to get through, we never had enough speed and, obviously, it was far from perfect race,” said Raikkonen.
“Once we were in P12 or P13 then I don’t care if I finish there or last… you don’t get anything from there.
“In some laps it felt a bit better, on other laps we were lacking a lot of grip, it was not consistent.
“Hopefully for the next race we’ll get some new stuff and move forward.”
Raikkonen added that Alfa Romeo needs to “tidy up” some elements in conjunction with developing updated components.
“I think unfortunately there are a few small things, that have nothing to do with us, some random things,” said Raikkonen, whose early pit stop in Canada was triggered by a visor tear-off affecting a brake duct.
“I think we need to tidy up some things, do a bit of a better job here and there so we need to keep pushing, get some new parts for the car to make it faster again.
“We all try to work us go faster but for sure the last races haven’t been easy.”
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