Raikkonen: Alfa need post-Spanish GP test

Kimi Raikkonen says that the in-season test following the Spanish Grand Prix has come at the right time for Alfa Romeo.

Despite being a regular feature of the top ten throughout 2019, Raikkonen struggled for pace throughout the race weekend at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

After starting the race P14, the former World Champion was off already by turn 3 as he slid into the gravel.

A slight recovery would follow as the Finn came home in the position he started, while P16 for Antonio Giovinazzi, ahead only of the Williams pair, capped off a miserable weekend for the Italian team.

“It was very slippery on the Mediums, and I almost spun at Turn 3,” Raikkonen told reporters in Barcelona.

“I tried to go with it but the rear didn’t want to and I almost managed to get it stopped before the edge of the tarmac but the left wheel went into the gravel. I went off then and it took a little while to get back.”

#AG99 “We started the race from P18 and went with a bit of different strategy to try and gain some positions, in the end it didn’t work because the pace just was not there. We need to work hard to have a better package in Monaco and achieve a better result” #SpanishGP pic.twitter.com/YG6NWqdRkq

— Alfa Romeo Racing (@alfaromeoracing) May 12, 2019

The 39-year-old is now looking forward to the two-day test at the circuit where he is set to get behind the C38’s wheel on Wednesday, with Ferrari Driver Academy protege Callum Ilott handling Tuesday’s action.

“Good that we have two days of testing ahead. We need that and hopefully we can figure out what the problems are,” he stated.

“Overall it was not an easy weekend for us. Pretty disappointing, but as I said, the test will hopefully help to turn things around.”

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