The Italian marque began sponsoring Sauber’s F1 team in 2018 and the following year took the naming rights to the Swiss outfit.
However as Sauber is pursuing a new tie-up with Audi, which will see the German manufacturer produce its own power unit for new technical regulations due to arrive in 2026, Alfa Romeo’s collaboration with the team will come to an end.
During its latest spell in F1 Alfa Romeo and Sauber peaked with sixth in the world championship last year. Their final season has been less successful, however, and they go into this weekend’s finale just four points ahead of last-placed Haas in the constructors’ standings.
Nonetheless Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said their time with Sauber has been “an international showcase at the highest level, as well as a profound human and sporting experience.”
“In my humble opinion, the return on investment from the work we have done here has been the most positive in my entire career,” Imparato added. “The benefits in terms of visibility serve as a benchmark for the entire Stellantis group.”
Alfa Romeo previously competed twice in F1 as a constructor. It took Giuseppe Farina to the first drivers’ world championship in 1950, followed by Juan Manuel Fangio the year after, then withdrew. It returned in the seventies and continued to compete until 1985.
Imparato indicated the brand has not ruled out returning to F1 in the future. “Alfa Romeo has competition in its DNA and will return to thrill its fans as soon as possible, when the conditions are right.”
For this weekend’s race Alfa Romeo’s car’s will carry number ‘six’ logos on its livery to reflect its time spent with Sauber. The C43s will also bear the slogan “Alfa Romeo nei nostri cuori”, Italian for “Alfa Romeo always in our hearts”.
"When the conditions are right, we will return to thrill our fans once more," Imparato declared in November. But if Alfa Romeo really wanted to remain involved in F1, it would have done so. There was an opportunity, even though it would still not have meant doing it properly.
Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imperato says he turned down the opportunity to keep the Italian carmaker's name in Formula 1 for 2024. With Sauber now already part-owned by VW-owned Audi ahead of their full works Formula 1 project for 2026, the Swiss team's naming deal with Alfa Romeo has ended.
Sauber will be rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber for the 2024 Formula 1 campaign, following the departure of their title sponsor Alfa Romeo. The Swiss team will operate under this banner for the next two seasons before rebranding as Audi in 2026 when they become the German manufacturer's works squad.
Sauber Motorsport is operating under a new team name for the 2024 F1 season. This year, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are racing for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. The re-branding came following the departure of title sponsor Alfa Romeo.
Sauber competed in Formula 1 as Alfa Romeo from 2018 through 2023 and for the next two years has taken on substantial branding from the Stake and Kick companies, ahead of Audi's takeover in 2026. The full takeover will allow Audi to ramp up its involvement in the Formula 1 organization ahead of its 2026 debut.
Haas remain 'fully committed' to F1 after announcement of NASCAR team closure. In a joint statement, Haas and Stewart said: “We have made the difficult decision to close Stewart-Haas Racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. It is a decision that did not come easily, nor was it made quickly.
Alfa Romeo seemed to be hoping for a deal they had with Sauber in recent years, but that agreement does not match the current market value in F1 and the negotiations ultimately came to nothing.
Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. This is one of those situations that makes complete sense and yet no sense at all at the same time: Audi has bought a minority stake in the Sauber F1 team, on its way to entering the sport as a works team in 2026.
Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo due to a disagreement over the direction of the company's racing department. Despite the success of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team, which was sponsored by Alfa Romeo, Enzo felt that the company was not fully committed to racing and wanted to strike out on his own.
German manufacturer Audi have moved to accelerate and expand their commitment to Formula 1 by choosing to take a 100% stake in Swiss operation Sauber, ahead of their arrival in the sport in 2026.
Consideration of the current 10 teams was not a factor in the final F1 report. Formula 1 has officially rejected Michael Andretti's application to join the series with a new team, citing several reasons for its decision.
In a rather unexpected comeback, Porsche could find itself to be a part of the Formula One grid in 2026 after supposedly taking over Audi's F1 operations. That means all the work done so far by Audi will be taken over and rebranded with Porsche badging.
For the 2024 Formula 1 season, there are four engine suppliers. Mercedes-Benz will supply engines for Mercedes, McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams. Honda will supply engines for Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri. Ferrari supply engines for its own team, Alfa Romeo and Haas.
Audi is set to take over the Sauber F1 team entirely before entering as a constructor and engine manufacturer in 2026. Here's everything you need to know, from the rumoured cost to the drivers tipped for its race seats.
Alfa Romeo ended production of the 4C in 2020, but the mid-engine coupe is making an unexpected comeback in 2024. Stellantis Heritage is reviving the sports car to mark 75 years of Abarth with the 1300 OT.
Introduction: My name is Arline Emard IV, I am a cheerful, gorgeous, colorful, joyous, excited, super, inquisitive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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