FeatureF1 Unlocked
A team in transition – How Alfa Romeo are balancing short-term targets with long-term planning ahead of Audi switch
F1 Correspondent & Presenter
Lawrence BarrettoSixth place in last year’s constructors’ championship was the Sauber-run Alfa Romeo team’s best result for a decade and raised hopes of continued progression ahead of Audi’s arrival in 2026 when they will become a works operation. But that hasn’t transpired this year, with the Swiss team down in ninth and struggling to get on terms with their midfield rivals.
They’ve scored in four races, one more than rivals Williams and Haas but they have been lower scores, leaving them two points adrift of the duo. The C43 has had a few peaks over one lap, with Zhou qualifying a superb fifth in Hungary, but it has largely been erratic. On Sunday afternoons, their long run pace hasn’t been consistent enough, in part because they haven’t been able to keep up with their rivals in the development race, or they’ve made too many mistakes, either operationally or with regards to production.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Video HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the FP1 action from Imola as Leclerc sets the pace, with Verstappen P5
FeatureF1 Unlocked THE NEXT RACE: How did F1’s current winners fare after their maiden Grand Prix victory?
Feature What the teams said – Friday practice in Imola
Live BlogF1 Unlocked AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from first practice for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix