Sonaban cada vez con más fuerza, hoy especialmente, y Sauber ha hecho oficial los rumores por medio de un comunicado: en 2018 pasarán a llamarse Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. Será así tras alcanzar un acuerdo técnico y comercial por varios años, sin concretar cuántos, con la marca del grupo Fiat, que regresa a la Fórmula 1 más de 30 años después de su última participación. El nuevo monoplaza del equipo de Hinwil llevará en su interior el motor de Ferrari, como ya se sabía, y en el exterior el logotipo de Alfa Romeo.

Sergio Marchionne, presidente de Ferrari y CEO del grupo Fiat, comenta así la noticia: “Este acuerdo es un paso significativo en la remodelación de Alfa Romeo, una marca legendaria que ha ayudado a hacer historia de este deporte. La marca también se beneficiará del intercambio de tecnología y conocimiento estratégico con un socio de experiencia indiscutible. Los fans de Alfa Romeo tendrán la oportunidad de apoyar a un fabricante que está decidido a escribir un capítulo nuevo y emocionante en su legendaria y única historia deportiva”.

Comunicado oficial:

The Sauber F1 Team enters a multi-year partnership agreement with Alfa Romeo

29 November 2017

We are delighted to announce that we have reached a multi-year technical and commercial partnership agreement with Alfa Romeo. The Italian car manufacturer, which is part of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), will be joining the Sauber F1 Team as Title Sponsor from 2018 onwards. By doing so, Alfa Romeo is returning to Formula One after more than 30 years of absence from the sport.

The partnership, which includes a strategic, commercial and technological cooperation between Alfa Romeo and the Sauber F1 Team, will enable the exchange of engineering and technical know-how, and provide new opportunities for the two organizations within Formula One and beyond. From 2018, the team will be known as the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. The 2018 F1 car will bear the Alfa Romeo logo, and will be equipped with the 2018 Ferrari power units.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles:
“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. A storied marque that has helped make the history of this sport, Alfa Romeo will join other major automakers that participate in Formula 1. The brand itself will also benefit from the sharing of technology and strategic know-how with a partner of the Sauber F1 Team’s undisputed experience. The Alfa Romeo engineers and technicians, who have already demonstrated their capabilities with the newly-launched models, Giulia and Stelvio, will have the opportunity to make that experience available to the Sauber F1 Team. At the same time, 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.”

Pascal Picci, Chairman, Sauber Holding AG:
“We are very pleased to welcome Alfa Romeo to the Sauber F1 Team. Alfa Romeo has a long history of success in Grand Prix racing, and we are very proud that this internationally renowned company has chosen to work with us for its return to the pinnacle of motorsport. Working closely with a car manufacturer is a great opportunity for the Sauber Group to further develop its technology and engineering projects. We are confident that together we can bring the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team great success, and look forward to a long and successful partnership.”