Sauber announced it will enter the 2019 Formula 1 World Championship as Alfa Romeo Racing. The Italian brand made its debut in an official competition just one year after its foundation on the 24th June 1910. It won the first Regularity Race in Modena. The long-term partnership between Sauber and Title Sponsor Alfa Romeo started in 2018. The team made continuous progress and finished the championship in 8th place. The term of the collaboration has been further extended, with the ownership and management of Sauber remaining unchanged and independent.
Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing:
“It is a pleasure to announce that we will enter the 2019 Formula One World Championship with the Team name Alfa Romeo Racing. After initiating the collaboration with our Title Sponsor Alfa Romeo in 2018, our team made fantastic progress on the technical, commercial and sporting side. This has given a boost of motivation to each team member, be that track-side or at the headquarter in Switzerland, as the hard work invested has become reflected in our results. We aim to continue developing every sector of our team while allowing our passion for racing, technology and design to drive us forward.”
Michael Manley, CEO FCA Group:
“Alfa Romeo Racing is a new name with a long history in Formula One. We’re proud to collaborate with Sauber in bringing Alfa Romeo’s tradition of technical excellence and Italian panache to the pinnacle of motorsport. Make no mistake: with Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi on one side of the pit wall and Alfa Romeo and Sauber expertise on the other, we are here to compete.”
Peter Sauber founded Sauber Motorsport AG in the 70s of the XX century. His cars participated in different sports cars championships until his team became the official factory team of Mercedes-Benz. Sauber became a part of Formula 1 at the beginning of the 90s. Its biggest success was achieved as BMW Sauber. The team took 1 win, 1 pole position, 17 podiums as well as 2 fastest laps. Sauber’s best F1 championship performance was in 2008 when the team was third. Last year the Hinwill equipe was 8th.
Meanwhile, Peter Sauber had 66.6% stake in the team until 2016. Swiss investment firm Longbow Finance bought it in the middle of 2016. It made management changes while beginning the new partnership with Alfa Romeo last year.
