Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake had a challenging evening in Jeddah as Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas finished 13th and 18th, respectively, in the 2023 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The team couldn’t convert its starting positions into a top-ten finish, despite the best efforts of the drivers and crew. As we return to our headquarters, we will analyse the data from the race and come up with the answers to this unrepresentative performance while finalising the next upgrade package for the C43.
Valtteri Bottas (car number 77):
Our qualifying performance yesterday was similar to the one we had in Bahrain, so we had good hopes for tonight, but unfortunately, the race was a very different affair. The car didn’t feel right, we couldn’t get any grip from the beginning of the race, and we needed to figure out exactly what had happened. I ran over a large piece of debris on lap one, so perhaps I was carrying some damage to the floor: we’ll look at the car and at the data and understand more to prepare for Melbourne. I believe our car is much better than what we’ve shown tonight: Zhou had a much better pace, so I don’t think this weekend was very representative, and I am confident we can be back fighting for points in Australia.
Zhou Guanyu (car number 24):
We looked strong in the first stint, our pace was good, and it seemed the top ten was within reach. Of course, the track position always makes the difference on street circuits like this one, and, unfortunately, I got stuck in a DRS train once the Safety Car came out. My race was compromised from that moment onwards, and there wasn’t much more we could do. Today just hasn’t been our day, but I think we can achieve much more as a team going forward. We get a new chance in a few weeks in Melbourne, where we will bring some upgrades to our car: hopefully, they’ll allow us to make the step forward we need to continue fighting for points. We have shown we can do it and fight towards the front, and I am confident we can achieve that again in Australia.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative:
Starting where we were on the grid, we were expecting to fight for the points, but, unfortunately, we couldn’t finish in the top ten this time. The team had a difficult weekend, and we weren’t able to be at the level for which we aimed: we’ll need to go back to base, analyse the data from this performance and understand where we’ve fallen short, and what steps we need to make to return to the level we were in Bahrain. We are confident we can make it there in Melbourne, where we will also bring some updates to improve the performance of our C43 further. We must keep working hard: the season is long, and the battle will be intense in each race.
Alfa Romeo F1 Team best pictures:

Alessandro Alunni Bravi (ITA) Alfa Romeo F1 Team Managing Director and Team Representative on the grid..Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sunday 19th March 2023. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team mechanic..Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Thursday 16th March 2023. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team C43 practices a pit stop..Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Friday 17th March 2023. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team with the media..Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Friday 17th March 2023. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team..Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Friday 17th March 2023. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Zhou Guanyu (CHN) Alfa Romeo F1 Team..Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Friday 17th March 2023. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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