Giovinazzi hopes Bottas can replicate Raikkonen impact

Antonio Giovinazzi is hopeful Valtteri Bottas can replicate the effect Kimi Raikkonen has had on Alfa Romeo when he replaces his fellow Finn in 2022.

Bottas will make the switch to the Hinwil-based outfit next year after bringing an end to a successful five-year tenure with Mercedes which is aiming to make it five constructors' titles in a row with the Finn and Lewis Hamilton as a duo.

Alfa Romeo currently sits ninth in the constructors' standings after being overtaken by Williams in the last five races, with Bottas tasked with helping turn fortunes around when the new regulations are enforced next season.

Asked what type of team Bottas could expect upon arriving, Giovinazzi said: "For sure it is a different team from my first experience in 2017.

"With Kimi coming in 2019, he brought some good things from Ferrari and from his experience.

"This is what Valtteri will find and what Valtteri will bring, he is another experienced driver and comes from a team like Mercedes so I am sure he can bring good things to the team and can still improve year after year."

Giovinazzi's future remains unclear with a whole host of drivers supposedly in line to take over from the Italian next year.

The 27-year-old explained: "It is not a question for me, you need to ask this to Fred [Vasseur, Alfa Romeo team principal].

"The only thing I can do is try to get more points and I hope that will be enough."

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