Alfa Romeo agree multi-year extension with Sauber to remain in Formula 1

The iconic name of Alfa Romeo will remain in Formula 1 beyond this season, after the famous Italian marque announced a multi-year agreement with Sauber which will have “yearly assessments”…

Alfa Romeo returned to Formula 1 after a hiatus of more than 30 years in 2018, signing a multi-year technical and commercial partnership with Sauber, before rebranding the team as Alfa Romeo for 2019. They then extended the arrangement for this season.

And on the eve of the British Grand Prix, Sauber and Alfa Romeo said they will continue with the renewal representing “a new exciting chapter in the long and prestigious motorsport history for two brands with an impressive racing heritage”.

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The team add they have set “ambitious objectives” for year-on-year development with the new regulations for 2022 providing them with an opportunity to “make a substantial step forward” given the have a “lean and agile” operation and they have already long operated underneath the budget cap, which was introduced this year.

The new arrangement will continue to extend beyond the race track, with Sauber Motorsport and Sauber Technology fusing with the road car side of the Alfa Romeo business.

“We are delighted to be announcing the extension of this partnership. Alfa Romeo have been an incredible companion over the last few years, and we are even more excited about the chapters that are yet to come,” said Alfa Romeo Team Principal Vasseur.

“The new regulations are giving us the chance to make another step forward and I firmly believe we are perfectly placed to make big gains together. We are looking forward to our future together and to keeping moving towards the front of the grid.

“This relationship is also very important for our company as a whole, beyond the track: the work we have done in the automotive world has shown the extent of the technology and manufacturing skills of Sauber Engineering and we are confident we can continue working for Alfa Romeo on new and exciting projects that will shape the future of the car industry.”

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Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato added: “As an historic Italian automotive brand, Alfa Romeo was born on the racetrack. Today we are proud to continue honoring that racing DNA by placing it at heart of the future of our Brand.

"We are driven by passion and excellence. Formula 1 represents a cutting-edge laboratory for the future electrification of our range, fully coherent with our vision for the coming years. Furthermore, motorsport brings the incomparable global exposure we wish to leverage for a successful future.”

Alfa Romeo, who along with all their rivals signed the new Concorde to race in F1 until at least the end of 2025, currently sit eighth in the constructors’ championship after nine Grands Prix, with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi racing for them this season.