2023 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix highlights

Alfa Romeo Racing Stake

Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake brought the 2023 season to an end under the floodlights of Yas Marina. Still, our campaign had no fairytale ending, as Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas finished 17th and 19th in the 2023 Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

This result confirms the final Constructors’ Standings, as Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake claims a ninth place in the championship. The 2023 season that is coming to an end has been a long and challenging one, but following next week’s test in Yas Marina, preparations will begin for a new campaign.

Valtteri Bottas (car number 77):

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough pace tonight. We tried two different strategies on the cars, and I went for one stop, but the tyres eventually began to wear off, and we couldn’t make the progress we needed. Ultimately, that has been the story of this season – we never quite had enough raw pace to put up a decent challenge and constantly achieve points finishes. It’s been a long season for all of us, both trackside and back home in Hinwil, and I am glad to be getting some time away from the track now to reset and recharge. I want to thank everyone who has been working hard all this time – the crew here at the track, our home team in Switzerland, and Ferrari – for all they have done. I also want to thank Alfa Romeo for these years and wish them well for the future: I’m proud to have been part of their history. Now, the focus switches to 2024: the concept of next year’s car, from what I have seen, is interesting, and we will be working hard throughout the winter to come back stronger next season.

Zhou Guanyu (car number 24):

Not the best result to end the season, but at least we went out there and tried everything we could. I’m not overly surprised by our pace today, as the feeling of the car and the speed were consistent with yesterday in qualifying: we didn’t have enough pace in these conditions. It’s the end of a long and hard season: we finish with some good memories, like Sunday in Doha or our qualifying in Budapest, but the knowledge we need to do more for 2024. So many people have worked hard to get us racing and deserve our gratitude: the mechanics, technicians, engineers, all here at the track, the boys and girls in Hinwil, and our partners at Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. I want to thank Alfa Romeo for all they’ve done for us and the two years I spent with them: it’s such a legendary brand, and I wish them well. We know next year will be a fresh start: the Team back in Hinwil is working hard, our new car will be unique, and I look forward to trying it. The margins will still be small, so moving forward will allow us to battle for much better positions. Now, all of us must catch a bit of a hiatus, recover after this long season and come back with fresh energies to tackle next year. For me, now is the chance to go back to Shanghai, which I don’t get to do often, spend some time with my family and my friends, and prepare to be in the best possible condition for next year.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative:

After such a long and arduous season, the most important thing to say today is to thank Alfa Romeo for six successful seasons together. Of course, we didn’t reach all the targets we had set for ourselves, but today, we want to pay tribute to a partner who has been instrumental to the growth of our Team, who joined us in 2017 when few would have any trust in our future. Now, if we can look to the future with confidence and a strong foundation, it is also thanks to Alfa Romeo and the people within their company who helped us as a team. The first thought is for Sergio Marchionne and, today, for Jean Philippe Imparato and all his Team. Tonight’s race reflected our season in full: in the end, the constructors’ championship position corresponds to the pace we could show. We must keep our heads down, knowing we must work hard and use the lessons we learn to improve. The biggest one is that we need to work as a team each day, having confidence in our people and our work, but knowing nobody will give us anything for free. This is important: it’s the end of a season tonight, but the start of a new one tomorrow. In next week’s test, we must collect as much data as possible to fix our issues. I want to thank all the people working both here and in Hinwil for their hard work this season and our partners at Ferrari for their support throughout the year: also, even though I never spoke about myself, I want to thank everyone for letting me represent them, hoping I did so in the best possible way – in the good days and the bad. The race has been very tough. We saw the pace was not enough to compete for the points: it’s how it went, but as we say goodbye to our fans, we want to let them know we will work hard to come back stronger.