Valtteri Bottas: The team has not achieved its goals

With one round left in the season, Alfa Romeo is ninth in the constructors’ championship. Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, team drivers Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou stated that the 2023 results did not meet expectations.

Valtteri Bottas: “The last race in Abu Dhabi is just around the corner. The season proved difficult and we did not achieve the goals we set for ourselves in January. However, we have worked hard to understand the car better, and many of the lessons learned will help us in 2024.

It’s a shame that my race on the last stage actually ended in the first corner. We had a strong weekend and I was confident we could score some points. None of our rivals earned points either, so after Las Vegas the situation in the Constructors’ Championship did not change. This weekend we once again have the opportunity to perform well and improve our position. The entire team is motivated to do their best for this.”

Guanyu Zhou: “It seems like yesterday we were preparing for the start of the new season in Bahrain, and the final stage is already around the corner. My second season in Formula 1 is coming to an end and I can say that I am satisfied with my progress. Unfortunately this season has not delivered everything we had planned, but there is still one race ahead and a chance to improve our position in the Constructors’ Championship.

In Las Vegas my race was action-packed and full of battles, although I didn’t finish much higher than the starting position. Our direct competitors also did not finish in the top ten, so the battle continues.

The whole team is determined to do everything possible to improve our position in the championship. It would be a good end to the season for everyone who worked hard in Hinwil and for the fans who have always supported us.”