[ad_1]
In times of the crown pandemic and virtual presentations, it is unusual: on Monday, Sauber is not only presenting his race car for the new Formula 1 season on an internet show, but thanks to the sponsors of Robert Kubica in Poland . The new C41 is the fourth model Sauber has built under the Alfa Romeo banner.
Is it also the last one? The contract between the Italians and Hinwilern expires at the end of the 2021 season. There are now increasing indications that, according to the English motorsports platform “The Race”, Alfa may withdraw from Formula 1, and that the brand Traditional could start in ABB’s Formula E from 2022 or 2023.
If the Alfa deal ends, Sauber would break about 30 million francs a year. The technical partnership, including the delivery of Ferrari engines, is likely to continue regardless of this. At BLICK’s request, the Hinwilers only confirm that the Alpha contract runs by the end of 2021. Everything else is speculation that will not be discussed.
The background for Alfa’s possible exit is found in the mega-merger of the automobile companies PSA and Fiat-Chrysler to form the Stellantis group. The elephant’s wedding was sealed a month ago and now unites 14 car brands. Now, of course, under the new corporate roof, things are getting fixed and renewed. Brands like Lancia, Dodge or Chrysler could even disappear completely. Also at Alfa Romeo it is still unclear whether they will continue to make road cars in the future.
The second question that arises from the new Stellantis Group: How sensible is it for two teams from the same company, Ferrari and Alfa, to compete against each other in the most expensive category? Formula E is available for a fraction of the F1 budget. And Alfa’s new boss, Jean-Philipe Imparato, is considered a fan of electro.
