Kimi Raikkonen remains "one of the best" on the grid - Antonio Giovinazzi

Alfa Romeo

Raikkonen remains "one of the best" on the grid - Giovinazzi

Giovinazzi still rates Raikkonen among the best drivers on the Formula 1 grid

Sam Hall

Friday 20 November 2020 15:38

Antonio Giovinazzi is in no doubt Alfa Romeo team-mate Kimi Raikkonen is still "one of the best" drivers racing in Formula 1.

Raikkonen is the most experienced driver in F1 history, completing more race starts at 326, which in turn means he has racked up more kilometres in 86,467.

Next season will be Raikkonen's 19th in the sport, with Giovinazzi in awe of the 41-year-old's longevity and the fact he continues to deliver every race.

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“With Kimi, I think in every race, you have pressure because with the experience he has he puts it together every weekend and it is difficult to beat him or to be in front of him," said the Italian.

“As I say, I think Kimi is still a really strong driver, a really fast driver and maybe one of the best on this grid and if you want to beat him you need to put it all together.

“So in every race, there is pressure there."

Ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo announced it would run an unchanged line-up of Raikkonen and Giovinazzi in 2021.

Although more at ease now the deal has been signed, Giovinazzi does not believe the fact his future has been resolved will now affect his performances on track.

“I think mentally it makes a difference but [overall] I don’t think so," said Giovinazzi.

"When you sign a contract you just feel more relaxed but it doesn’t change my quality of driving.”

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