Alfa Romeo F1 will cease to exist as such at the end of 2023, the contract with Sauber ending on this date. But the automaker, which will accelerate its electrification, does not rule out returning with another team.
As explained by its CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, the brand wants to assess its commitment in the coming months. In the meantime, the objective is to end the collaboration with Sauber in style, and relations with Finn Rausing, owner, and Frédéric Vasseur, director, are in good shape.
“We are in a period where the automotive world is changing at an incredible speed,” Imparato said. « From 2025, all of our new models will be electric, and we will have fully electrified production from 2027, except for two hybrid offerings. »
« It is crucial for us to be free to do all the necessary assessments before 2024, and at the moment nothing is ruled out. We are very happy with the relationship we have with Sauber. Together with Finn and Fred, we talk every week, and we still have 18 months of collaboration ahead of us. »
« We have had and continue to have an excellent return in this operation, I believe it is proportionally the highest in the paddock, and that thanks to the idea that Sergio Marchionne had five years ago.
A future that will be decided in the first half of 2023
Imparato specifies that the manufacturer would like to have a lasting relationship in the event of a re-engagement in F1, possibly with Haas F1 since the ideal would be for the team to be powered by Ferrari: « I don’t see Alfa Romeo committing to a championship that doesn’t match our history, but otherwise everything will be assessed. »
« We love Formula 1, but we don’t want to jump from one team to another, nor think of contexts in which Alfa Romeo has no tradition, for the rest everything will be taken into account and we will decide in the first half of next year. »
For its part, Sauber is preparing a probable future alongside Audi, but has not abandoned Alfa Romeo unexpectedly: « The renewal with Sauber for the 2023 season was signed in July. We already had an idea of what the scenario could be, we weren’t caught off guard. »
« We just want everything to be on the table, and with a view to 2024, we will evaluate all possible programs. The guidelines to be respected are three: Italianism, sportsmanship and tradition. After that, all scenarios are open. »
