Raikkonen ruled out of Italian Grand Prix, with Kubica set to deputise again for Alfa Romeo

Following his positive Covid-19 test last week, Kimi Raikkonen will sit out this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, with Robert Kubica set to race in his place for Alfa Romeo.

Raikkonen – who announced last week that he would be retiring from Formula 1 at the end of this season – tested positive for the virus ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and sat out that race as a result.

READ MORE: BUXTON – Raikkonen’s departure deprives us of a true original, we may never see his like again in F1

Reserve driver Kubica stood in for the Finn – making his first Grand Prix appearance since the end of the 2019 season when he drove for Williams – and finished 15th, despite not taking part in either of the Friday practice sessions.

And it was announced on Wednesday that Raikkonen would also miss this weekend's race at Monza, with Kubica again taking his place.

A team statement said: “Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN can confirm that reserve driver, Robert Kubica, will continue to deputise for Kimi Raikkonen at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.

“Kimi missed last week’s race in Zandvoort after testing positive to Covid-19 and has not yet been cleared for a return to racing. As per health authority requirements, he is still isolating in his home.

“Robert, who performed admirably in the Netherlands after stepping in at short notice before FP3, will return to the car alongside Antonio Giovinazzi.”

READ MORE: Kubica finds racing return 'mentally' tough after late call-up at Zandvoort

Kubica added: “First of all, I want to share my best wishes for Kimi: I hope he makes a full recovery and returns to the cockpit soon. I am looking forward to racing in Monza, an incredible track in which I claimed my first podium, in 2006.

"Unlike Zandvoort, it is a track I know well and this will help, particularly since the Sprint Qualifying weekend format means we will be one practice session short. I am happy with what I did in Holland and I can’t wait to help the team out one more time in Monza.”