Prior to pre season testing, Alfa Romeo painted the car in a "snake skin" livery. The car then went back to its competition livery for pre season testing. At the season opening 2020 Austrian Grand Prix, Kimi Räikkönen's right front tyre came off prompting retirement. Antonio Giovinazzi finished 9th, giving Alfa Romeo two points. At the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix, Räikkönen finished in 11th place and Giovinazzi finished 14th, both 1 lap down. At the 2020 Hungarian Grand Prix, Räikkönen was too far forward at the start, rendering him out of position. He was given a five-second penalty for this during the race. The cars were the last two finishers, after qualifying on the back row. Although the car began the season at the back of the grid, it has gradually improved as the season has progressed, including a 12th-place finish ahead of both works Ferraris by Räikkönen at the Belgian Grand Prix. As with the Ferrari SF1000, and fellow Ferrari engine customers Haas' entry, the VF-20, the car has been consistently hampered by a lack of power from its Ferrari engine and thus has struggled to compete with other midfield teams, especially at power-dependent circuits. In most races, they race at the back of the grid with Haas and Williams.