Alfa Romeo hopes to have 'problem-free weekend' in Baku

Contrary feelings among Alfa Romeo at the start of the season. If the C42 is a high-performance car, sometimes even the 3rd best car in the field, the Italian-Swiss team did not capitalize on the points scored. Fifth in the constructors' championship, with just one unit ahead Alpine, the Hinwil-based team juggled bad luck and mechanical problems.

In Monaco, on a circuit which should have suited the Alfa Romeo, the team left with only 2 points. Senior manager Frédéric Vasseur insists on the need to have a clean weekend in Baku to stay in the game. “We have worked well so far and we can be happy with the results we have achieved, but we know we will have to continue working hard in every round to get the most out of every weekend. We saw in Monaco that the margins are very low: you can go from P6 to P16 in the blink of an eye. That's why we have to be very precise and get the most out of every session, every lap. »

Alfa Romeo drivers in search of a clean weekend

In a very tight middle of the pack, Alfa Romeo is in the race for fourth place among the manufacturers. The stable can rely on a Valtteri Bottas in great form this season, with 40 points already scored.

The Finn, who has experienced ups and downs in Azerbaijan in recent years, is hoping for a smooth Grand Prix. “It is crucial that we can have a problem-free weekend. We've had some good results despite a few issues on Friday so far, and if we can resolve them we could really see the full potential of our package. We know we can fight forward and that must be our goal. It's a circuit that can produce chaotic races, so we'll have to be ready to make the most of every opportunity. »

On the other side of the garage, however, Guanyu-Zhou barely really launching its season. Author of only one small point, gleaned during the inaugural race in Bahrain, the Chinese is already very far from his teammate.

For its first season in Formula 1, Zhou experienced a complicated apprenticeship at Alfa Romeo, punctuated by mechanical problems. He is counting on this Grand Prix in Baku, where he has already raced in Formula 2, to pocket a good result. “I'm aiming for a clean weekend where we can really show what we can do as a team. The potential we have is obvious and I can see that I am improving more and more every weekend. Now it's about putting it all together and getting the result we deserve. If we have a clean Friday and a good qualifying, we will be able to bring back a good race result. »

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