Alfa Romeo “in no hurry” to form its F1 future after 2023

Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has indicated the corporate is in no “hurry” to decide on its long-term future in Components 1, as 2023 might be its final season with Sauber.

Shortly after saying the extension of the settlement linking it with Sauber in Components 1, Alfa Romeo introduced that 2023 can be its final season as a companion of the Swiss construction which, in truth, enters and operates the single-seaters. struck with the quadrifoglio since 2019.

The announcement of the tip of this collaboration got here the day Audi made its arrival in F1 official by 2026. Though it has not been confirmed since, the model with the rings is strongly linked to a partial takeover of Sauber, with a purpose to make it the premise of its manufacturing facility group from the entry into pressure of the following engine laws.

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Nonetheless, is that this the tip of Alfa Romeo in Components 1? Not essentially, nonetheless the model will solely be capable of companion with a Ferrari companion group: “To make it clear as soon as once more, we might by no means race with any engine apart from Ferrari if we have been to remain in F1.”defined Jean-Philippe Imparato, Alfa’s CEO, to Motorsport.com.

Two reasonable choices then current themselves: both to conclude an settlement with Haas, or to interact with a possible newcomer who would agree with Ferrari, like Andretti for instance. However the firm might additionally look elsewhere, resembling in Components E or the WEC, at a time when the manufacturing of its street vehicles is shifting in the direction of electrification.

“I’m completely open to all the pieces”Imperato stated. “In addition to, it is a interval that provides me the chance to check all the pieces with out strain. I’ve the chance to try this. And I’d say that, even when we’ve to decide earlier than the tip of this yr, we’ve just a few weeks, just a few months, to see how issues are going, and likewise to decide on in a sort of serene environment.”

“So I am not in a rush. It is all on the desk, I’d say. I wish to discover the very best compromise between motorsport DNA and the transition to electrical autos that we’re seeing. What I’m attempting to construct , it’s this coherence between my story and the mandatory existential motion that I have to undertake. And it isn’t apparent I’d say, between the story, the DNA, and the change.”

Jean Philippe Imparato, CEO of Alfa Romeo

Whereas declining to touch upon Sauber’s tipped cope with Audi, Imparato stated the timing of the 2023 contract announcement was supposed to offer “readability” about his involvement. “The necessity for readability appears to be essential. So what I wished to ship as a message was quite simple. Firstly, I’m renewing the contract with Sauber Engineering for 2023, for one cause solely: we’re proud of them.

“Not simply commercially, as a result of commercially I in all probability have the very best return on funding within the paddock. However in the best way we work collectively. We work on particular editions, however we’ve additionally organized occasions specials with GTA house owners [Gran Turismo Alleggerita, ndlr]with basic automotive house owners. We’re joyful collectively.”

“Second message: always remember that I’ve an annual contract with Sauber Engineering with an annual analysis. And that I can retire annually on the finish of July. Third message: 2024 would be the first yr that I’ll launch a 100% EV supply for Alfa Romeo. So in some unspecified time in the future, as we won’t plan for 3 months, I’ve to plan past that.”

“So I stated, ‘Guys, we’ve to open a brand new chapter in our historical past, a brand new chapter in our journey, so that is greater than a narrative with Sauber, and with motorsport. And let’s take this context to be clear’. And that was the thrust of our communication.”

When requested if a mission throughout the framework of the World Endurance Championship is a conceivable prospect, Imparato pressured that something was doable. “[Il n’y a] nothing definitive about 2024, completely nothing. As we speak I’m targeted on 2022-23. Within the months to come back, we might be able to open reflection and research for 2024, 2025 and 2026.”

“And I’ll come again to you the day I take into account that I’ve one thing that’s according to my DNA, with the Italian sporting character of Alfa Romeo. I’ve to be constant: the Italian sporting character, for me it is is Alfa Romeo’s signature.”

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With Adam Cooper