Alfa Romeo returns to Formula 1
After more than three decades away, the famous Italian brand is coming back to the top table
This is not a drill - Alfa back in F1!
According to the press release, the deal includes "strategic, commercial and technological cooperation in all applicable areas of development, including access to engineering know-how and the expertise of Alfa Romeo technical staff." None of which means a whole lot to those of us on this side of the pit wall.
What will change for spectators going forward though is that Sauber's Ferrari-powered single-seaters will sport the distinctive colours and logo of Alfa, which will also become the team's title sponsor - now officially named Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team.
Speaking about the new arrangement, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne said, "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... 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."
Legendary history indeed. Alfa having won the first two drivers' world championships, in 1950 and 1951 - the latter with none other than Juan Manuel Fangio behind the wheel - before going on to enjoy further success in the sport. Next year's drivers, likely to be Marcus Ericsson and F2 world champion Charles Leclerc, will certainly have a weighty legacy to carry on their shoulders.
Now who can get Martini away from Williams?
There is another pleasing side to the announcement too, coming as it does during the 50th anniversary of Gordon Murray's entry into motorsport engineering and design. Murray, of course, designed several Alfa powered Brabhams during his long and successful career, including his infamous BT46 'fan car' which wore the Alfa Romeo badge on its nose.
We look forward to seeing the marque involved at the pinnacle of motorsport once again, and to finding out exactly how its experience filters down to its road cars...
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[Period photos: LAT Photo]
There must be a legal / financial reason for this ?
It would be like having a VW team and a Porsche team.
At the end of the day they are still the same company.
But still, it's not far off... It's brand recognition, really. Same with Porsche and Audi at Le Mans
There must be a legal / financial reason for this ?
It would be like having a VW team and a Porsche team.
At the end of the day they are still the same company.
But still, it's not far off... It's brand recognition, really. Same with Porsche and Audi at Le Mans
Let's hope they finish a tad better than this year, I'm sure all the Renault (and Honda) powered cars will be a bit worried.
With just a pinch (ok, a shovel full) of nostalgia, I hope to see some proper right racing, and heavily classically inspired liveries.
The realist (or cynic) in me thinks it'll be more of the same.
Good for the sport undoubtedly. And great exposure for Alfa. Let's see some more Quadrfoglio's out in the real world!
As was the Lotus 78, 79 etc.
And that’s what was so right about F1 back then and what is so wrong with it now.
Designers and manufacturers made cars that looked different and stayed within, or strayed on the edges of legality by large amounts, unlike today when minuscule alterations are what win races.
The BT46 was an answer to ground effect that nobody else had asked the question of, (albeit Lotus pioneered the twin chassis etc etc) and that is recisely what I miss about F1, the ability to approach a problem from opposing directions has been iradicated by the rule makers.
Pleased to see that a glorious name like Alfa is returning (in name only?) but sadly the thrill of F1 died years ago.
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