Robert Kubica will continue to substitute for Kimi Raikkonen in this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix in Formula 1, as Raikkonen has not been cleared to race, Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN announced Wednesday (Sept. 8).
Raikkonen was diagnosed with COVID-19 just before the Dutch Grand Prix last week. Kubica gained one position to finish 15th in his first race with Alfa Romeo.
The F1 veteran competed in 76 events from 2006-2010 for BMW Sauber and Renault before returning in 2019 with ROKIT Williams Racing. He’s earned one victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal in 2008. Additionally, Kubica has 12 career podiums and has a highest finish of fourth in the points standings in 2008.
Raikkonen recently announced he would retire at the end of the season after a 19-year career. He’s earned 21 wins and 103 podiums; he currently sits 17th in the standings.
Valtteri Bottas will jump from Mercedes to Alfa Romeo, while George Russell goes to Mercedes in 2022.
The race at Monza is set to air on Sept. 12 at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
Team Statement ahead of the #ItalianGP ?? pic.twitter.com/TBXPhCSHlD
— Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN (@alfaromeoracing) September 8, 2021
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Joy joined Frontstretch in 2019 as a NASCAR DraftKings writer, expanding to news and iRacing coverage in 2020. She's currently an assistant editor and involved with photos, social media and news editing. A California native, Joy was raised watching motorsports and started watching NASCAR extensively in 2001. She earned her B.A. degree in Liberal Studies at California State University Bakersfield in 2010.
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The Chinese Virus got another F1 driver. I’m sure Kimi would of wanted to race the rest of the season.