Official: Alfa Romeo returns to F1 as Sauber title sponsor
- Published on 29 Nov 2017 11:01
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Sauber is delighted to announce that it has reached a multi-year technical and commercial partnership agreement with Alfa Romeo. The Italian car manufacturer, which is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), will be joining the Sauber F1 Team as Title Sponsor from 2018 onwards. By doing so, Alfa Romeo is returning to Formula One after more than 30 years of absence from the sport.
The partnership, which includes a strategic, commercial and technological cooperation between Alfa Romeo and the Sauber F1 Team, will enable the exchange of engineering and technical know-how, and provide new opportunities for the two organizations within Formula One and beyond. From 2018, the team will be known as the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. The 2018 F1 car will bear the Alfa Romeo logo, and will be equipped with the 2018 Ferrari power units.
Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles: "This agreement with the Sauber F1 Team is a significant step in the reshaping of the Alfa Romeo brand, which will return to Formula 1 after an absence of more than 30 years. A storied marque that has helped make the history of this sport, Alfa Romeo will join other major automakers that participate in Formula 1. The brand itself will also benefit from the sharing of technology and strategic know-how with a partner of the Sauber F1 Team’s undisputed experience. The Alfa Romeo engineers and technicians, who have already demonstrated their capabilities with the newly-launched models, Giulia and Stelvio, will have the opportunity to make that experience available to the Sauber F1 Team. At the same time, Alfa Romeo fans will once again have the opportunity to support an automaker that is determined to begin writing an exciting new chapter in its unique, legendary sporting history."
Pascal Picci, Chairman, Sauber Holding AG: "We are very pleased to welcome Alfa Romeo to the Sauber F1 Team. Alfa Romeo has a long history of success in Grand Prix racing, and we are very proud that this internationally renowned company has chosen to work with us for its return to the pinnacle of motorsport. Working closely with a car manufacturer is a great opportunity for the Sauber Group to further develop its technology and engineering projects. We are confident that together we can bring the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team great success, and look forward to a long and successful partnership."
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Replies (15)
Login to replyboudy
Posts: 1,168
We will see how much they improve and grow in size. If there is no size change than it's the same again for Sauber. Hope they will do well.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Good for them. Im sure Sauber enjoy the money and bonus competence Alfa can bring to the table.
LightIsRight
Posts: 113
I do not understand why Alfa would come back in. They will not beat Ferrari with Ferrari engines. The best they can hope for is 2nd behind Ferrari which is unlikely from many stand points. Unless they planning on producing their own engines for the new regulations? Or is this a way to keep the Italian support and supporters for in case Ferrari do quit?
xoya
Posts: 583
Ferrari and Alfa Romeo are owned by the same company so I don't see why wouldn't they be competitive against Ferrari, but I guess anything is possible.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Ferrari is the works team though, and as such they have more direct control over their unit.
Mr N71
Posts: 31
In don't believe it's ment for a private customer team to beat the manufacturer works team, it's just not the case at all. With this Sauber has the chance to be the best private team. Fiat are using F1 to expose their brands Ferrari and now Alfa Romeo with Sauber. The deal are a Title sponsor deal with branded Ferrari engines and nothing more. Hopefully this deal vill provide Sauber with the whole back side og the car like the deal Force India have with Mercedes. Engine, gearbox and suspension and more. And this will probably put Haas at the back of the pecking order within the Ferrari F1 familly.
reg
Posts: 162
Just marketing that's all!
Quite clearly there is no chance that Alfa would or could invest to produce its own engine, but perhaps Sauber may get the current years Ferrari engine, that would be a good place for them to start in 2018.
I noticed last weekend that the Sauber looked very nimble and easy to drive in the corners, not like the lugging and heaving and poor turrn-in that the Merc drivers have to cope with, so maybe with an up to date engine Sauber can move up the grid!
xoya
Posts: 583
Seems like you haven't really been following the news. :)
www.f1today.net/en(...)-s-new-ferrari-deal
Mr N71
Posts: 31
Yes Sauber A.R. are going to use same engines as Ferrari 2018, the deal was done this summer. And the team that made the biggest step forward this year are Sauber. They beat or drove as quick as their closest opponents and that with an under powered engine that has not been updated since Dec 2016.
denis1304
Posts: 284
Haas F1 is going to be jealous
Jutlandia
Posts: 191
I'm also afraid thet Haas will be pushed further away.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I wouldnt worry too much about it. Haas has a deal set with Ferrari, and it benefits them well. Im sure Ferrari wont skimp out of it any time soon.
Mr N71
Posts: 31
Yes, they're from next year not as privileged as before. They are now a Nr 3 team.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Don't pick up the phone, Ericsson!
This should be interesting. I don't see Alfa competing with Ferrari. Ever. But it could be a very good best of the rest team, the spot currently occupied by Force India.
It could also be what the Alfa brand needs to be successful again, as it has been trying to find its position in the marketplace for years. With a more pronounced racing profile might just doing the trick.
Barron
Posts: 625
Great to see Alfa back in any capacity. Marketing exercise? 99% of Fórmula 1 has always only been about marketing. The millionaire “unbranded” racers like Lord Hesketh abandoned F1 many years ago.