The Alfa Romeo team could have smiles after the Bahrain Grand Prix, where they managed to bring their two drivers into the points. Sixth place for Valtteri Bottas is simply the best race result for the Swiss team since 2019.
“I’m very happy with the result tonight,” said the Finnish pilot. “For me but especially for the team, we put both cars in the points and Zhou scored in his first race in F1.
“The race went very well except for the start. I had some slippage and was an easy target on the first lap and was just trying to avoid contact. When things stabilized “, the car had a good pace. We never gave up, we executed a good strategy and came back well. We took things lap after lap and got back into the Top 10.”
“It’s a great way to start the season. We still have a lot to improve of course, but it was only the first race of the year. Our priority was reliability and I’m happy that we finished with both cars and the performance is there. Everyone did a good job and we are going in the right direction.”
Guanyu Zhou did not hide his emotion after scoring a point in his first F1 Grand Prix.
“I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say,” said the Chinese pilot. “There is so much emotion tonight but my first thoughts are with the team. Everyone has worked so hard since the end of last season and to be here today is amazing.”
“It was my biggest dream to race in F1 and score points and tonight we achieved both. It was crazy enough to be on the starting grid, but the race itself was so intense. Not so much physically but more mentally. I had a problem at the start and it took a special performance to get back into the Top 10.”
“I gave a lot, caught up to Valtteri then lost positions again when the safety car came onto the track before coming back up again, it was an emotional roller coaster. I’m so proud of the team and my teammate for all the hard work we all put in together and we are rewarded. It’s a day I will never forget and I want to enjoy the moment for a bit longer, but then we have to look to Jeddah. “