Alfa Romeo’s relative disappointment at finishing seventh in Miami underlines the progress the team has made in 2022, according to boss Frederic Vasseur.
Alfa Romeo has endured a fraught couple of seasons in Formula 1 and slumped to an uncompetitive ninth in the 2021 standings.
But through 2022 it has vaulted firmly into the midfield, spearheaded by ex-Mercedes racer Valtteri Bottas, who held fifth for much of the race in Miami.
However Bottas was distracted by the battling Mercedes drivers behind him and went deep into the final hairpin, running wide, and lightly brushing the wall.
The incident allowed the two Mercedes drivers to slip by, demoting Bottas to seventh, which he preserved through to the end of the race.
“It shows how much progress we have made this year that we’re actually a bit disappointed with P7 – which is a really good result in itself,” said Vasseur.
“We were really strong out there and we ran most of the race comfortably in P5, just behind the two Red Bulls and Ferraris: the timing of the Safety Car really affected us, nullifying Valtteri’s advantage over the two Mercedes.
“Still, bringing home six points is a positive result and another gain for our championship standings, but we know we can improve even more.”
Zhou Guanyu retired early on due to a water leak and Vasseur believes the rookie “would have also been in the battle for some points.”
Bottas’ result nonetheless strengthened Alfa Romeo’s grip on fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship, five points ahead of Alpine.
“The direction we are headed is clear and it’s positive,” said Vasseur.
“We know we can be competitive every weekend and we aim to keep fighting to achieve more success in the next rounds.”
Valtteri Bottas is a choker. Hamilton and Russel looming large in his mirrors, he choked.