Vasseur: Alfa now in ‘different world’ compared to 2021

After their 2021 struggles, Frederic Vasseur is encouraged to see Alfa Romeo compete in a “different world” in the upper midfield this year.

Valtteri Bottas has made it through into Q3 in both races this season, and both Alfa Romeo cars have been worthy of points-paying positions so far in 2022.

Zhou Guanyu took his first Formula 1 point in Bahrain, and was frustrated to only finish P11 in Jeddah after an anti-stall issue was compounded by both five-second and drive-through penalties in the race.

Given that Alfa Romeo finished second-last in the Constructors’ standings last year, only ahead of Haas, their team principal was glad to be disappointed to come away from Jeddah empty-handed, after Bottas also had to retire.

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Back in Albert Park after such a long time #AlfaRomeo #Orlen pic.twitter.com/SM70bBgW9v

— Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN (@alfaromeoorlen) April 3, 2022

“We were less than a tenth off P5 in quali [in Saudi Arabia],” Vasseur told Motorsport.com.

“It’s quite encouraging for the team, because after Bahrain on a different track we showed that the pace is there, and that we can be there on every single track, and this is good for us.

“But then it’s a shame to not score big points in this situation.

“I think that for sure we are a bit disappointed because we are leaving with zero, but on the other hand one year ago, we were nowhere, we were out in Q1.