Since the start of the Alfa Romeo deal by Sauber in 2018, a place in the team has been reserved for a driver nominated by engine partner Ferrari from its young talent pool.
Charles Leclerc occupied it in 2018 before current incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi took over the reins the following year.
On Tuesday, Sauber announced that it had renewed its partnership with Alfa in a multi-year contract that is expected to run until 2024.
When negotiating the latest contract, Vasseur made sure that he will be able to continue to be flexible with his driver choice in the future.
Theo Pouchaire, member of the Sauber Junior Team, currently plays in ART in Formula 2 and is an obvious future candidate for a seat. However, Vasseur has previously indicated that 2022 would be too early for the teenager to advance to Formula 1 .
Despite the freedom of contract, Vasseur has made it clear that the team will remain open to racing drivers from the Ferrari Academy, and thus Giovinazzi, current reserve Callum Ilott, Mick Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman are all possible options.
“The driver issue is certainly an important point,” Vasseur told Motorsport.com. “In the future we will have a free choice of driver. But the connection to Ferrari means that we can discuss their own with them without any problems. ”
“We have Antonio, he is improving, he is doing a good job and the goal for me is to keep that connection with Ferrari. But we are free to choose and let’s discuss it with them. “
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The new CEO of Alfa Romeo Jean-Philippe has learned said he won’t be involved in driver selection for the team.
“Everyone for their craft,” he said to L’Equipe. “So the answer is no! There is only one person who has a choice and that will be Fred Vasseur. I know how to sell cars, he knows how to lead a team. He’s been doing this for 25 years and he’s doing it very well.
“We decided together that as a last resort, he is the one who decides who sits on the court. And he’ll do it at the right moment, like he always has. “
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