Raikkonen reaction revealed to "tough" Alfa Romeo decisions

Alfa Romeo team principal Frédéric Vasseur has revealed Kimi Raikkonen 'did not expect' the team to switch its focus so early to the all-new 2022 cars and go "20 races" without bringing updates.

In a bid to reduce costs in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic last year, teams ran modified versions of their 2020 machinery, with a token system introduced to limit significant upgrades.

The result was that it limited the ability of teams to climb the order, and while some achieved the feat, others decided to concentrate on the potential opportunities available with the new-for-2022 aerodynamic regulations.

With Alfa Romeo amongst those teams, it was a decision that restricted Raikkonen to just four points finishes in what proved to be his farewell season.

"For sure, for Kimi, when he was at that stage of his career, perhaps it was not the choice that he was expecting," explained Vasseur in a post-season interview with GPFans.

"I can perfectly understand that when we have to take this decision it is from a company perspective or team perspective."

Asked if the Finn had shown his "frustration" to Vasseur, he added: "No, because I think he's professional enough to avoid doing something like this.

"My job is to put myself in their shoes and I can perfectly understand that the guys, they are... it's difficult for us on the pit wall or in the garage when you know that you won't bring updates during the next 20 races.

"I can perfectly understand that from their side when they are in the car and they know we won't bring updates."

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