The Final Stand at Yas Marina:
Alfa Romeo's six-year partnership with Sauber ended on a sombre note, with neither Bottas nor Zhou managing to add to the team's points tally in the season finale. The Italian marque's departure was marked by a ninth-place finish in the constructors' standings, a result that fell short of the team's ambitions.
Bottas' Perspective on the Season's Struggles:
- Pace Issues: Bottas highlighted the car's lack of pace as the primary challenge during the race and throughout the season.
- Strategy Dilemma: The team's attempt to differentiate strategies between the two cars did not yield the desired results, with Bottas' one-stop strategy proving ineffective.
- Year-End Reflections: Despite the difficulties, Bottas expressed relief at the season's end and optimism for a fresh start, emphasizing the importance of the team's recent technical changes.
Technical Reshuffle and Future Hopes:
- New Technical Director: The arrival of James Key as Technical Director is seen as a pivotal change that could steer the team toward better performance.
- Car Concept Overhaul: Bottas is hopeful about the new car concept for the next season, acknowledging the need for hard work to capitalize on the changes.
Zhou's Take on the Upcoming Season:
- Ground Effect Era: Zhou pointed out the significant changes to the car's design to adapt to F1's latest ground effect regulations.
- Winter Developments: He anticipates a "much bigger" improvement over the winter, stressing the importance of gaining even small increments of time per lap to move up the grid.
The Battle in the Standings:
Tight Constructors' Race: Alfa Romeo was in contention for seventh place in the constructors' standings but ultimately fell short, finishing behind Williams and AlphaTauri, with Haas at the bottom.
Conclusion
As Alfa Romeo steps back from its prominent role in Formula 1, both Bottas and Zhou are pinning their hopes on a transformative 2024 season. With a "completely new" car on the horizon and a reshuffled technical team, the drivers and the Sauber team are eager to leave the disappointments behind and chart a course for success. The Formula 1 fanbase will be watching closely to see if these changes can propel the team from the back of the grid to a competitive midfield presence. As the off-season progresses, anticipation builds for what could be a pivotal year for the team and its drivers.
