Motivation to determine Raikkonen future - Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo team principal Frederic Vasseur believes Kimi Raikkonen's motivation will determine whether he continues in Formula 1 into 2021.

Raikkonen has already revealed that family life is beginning to tug at him and that he is undecided on whether to continue for what would be his 19th season.

Crucially, Alfa Romeo has struggled this season, with Raikkonen embarrassingly qualifying last at the recent 70th Anniversary Grand Prix at Silverstone, although the car improved for the Spanish GP last time out.

Assessing what is required for Raikkonen to remain with Alfa Romeo, Vasseur said: "I think the most important thing is the motivation, the motivation on the driver’s side first because I think it’s difficult for Kimi to struggle with the pace when we are at the back.

"Now that we did a good weekend in Barcelona, the pace was much better. We have to continue to improve and to do small step by small step and to be back into the fight.

"This is the most important thing but not just for Kimi, but everybody in the team. The main motivation in a racing team is coming from the results and nothing else, from the drivers to the mechanics, to the engineers, to myself and we need to get results."

Vasseur insists he has no issues with Raikkonen's performance so far this year which has failed to yield a point from the opening six races for the first time in his career.

Asked whether he was impressed with the job Raikkonen had done, Vasseur replied: "Yeah, yeah! Honestly, Kimi is far from being the biggest issue. He’s doing a good job.

"We saw in Barcelona that the pace is there. We have to continue to push and to get the last tenth [of a second] on every single topic and I think that Kimi is pleased when we have this kind of motivation."

Before you go...

Hamilton takes FP3; could Ferrari fail to make it out of Q1?

Hamilton to offer Wolff calming tequila shot once new Mercedes deal done

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton handed F1 title boost as Mercedes stars set for penalties

• 34 minutes ago

Does Verstappen really arrive at F1 race tracks before Lewis Hamilton? F1 insider reveals truth

• 1 hour ago

F1 News Today: Christian Horner's wild prediction hits as Red Bull get Lambiase replacement

• 2 hours ago

F1 president makes bold claim on German Grand Prix return: 'It will definitely happen'

• Yesterday 22:30

F1 star makes decision on Audi future as three key conditions revealed

• Yesterday 21:45

Max Verstappen exit clause is now active and it's a ticking timebomb for Red Bull

• Yesterday 20:57