Sauber to build technical partnership with Alfa Romeo

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Sauber will likely see its partnership with Alfa Romeo extend beyond its branding collaboration to include down the road a technical relationship with the manufacturer.

The legendary Quadrifiglio brand, which operates under the Fiat-Chrysler umbrella, enjoys once again a prominent presence in F1 following its deal with Sauber.

The Swiss outfit's new C37 is powered by a latest-spec Ferrari engine while the team as a whole has seen its resources boosted thanks to Alfa's support.

Sauber team boss Fred Vasseur is hopeful of taking the relationship to the next level in the future.

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"We have a different project and now we have to investigate different aspects of the collaboration," Vasseur told Autosport.

"We are more than open to extending the collaboration with Alfa Romeo and will see step by step how and what could be the next options. A technical collaboration will be one."

While the specifics of Alfa's technical input have yet to be defined, Vasseur doesn't see a future cooperation along the lines of Haas' close relationship with Ferrari.

"Ferrari is the engine supplier, Alfa Romeo is the technical partnership," he added.

"I don't want to discuss Haas and the Haas project. They are doing a good job. We have our own project.

"We have to define with Alfa Romeo how we can succeed, how we can develop the team, and we will take our own way."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.