Alfa Romeo and Sauber seal multi-year extension to F1 partnership

©AlfaRomeo

Alfa Romeo and Sauber Motorsport have extended their partnership and naming rights deal in Formula 1 on the basis of a multi-year agreement with yearly assessments.

The iconic Italian brand and the Swiss outfit initiated their collaboration at the start of the 2018 season, and their renewed relationship has set "ambitious objectives for progressive improvement year on year and will allow the two parties to develop their vision for the future in a stable environment".

Amid a paradigm shift towards electrification in the automobile industry, Alfa Romeo says it will remain "true to its roots" during its transformation, with "the pleasure of the driver and the passion" prevailing at the forefront of its philosophy.

But the brand’s presence in motorsport, and in particular in F1, will continue to play "a key role in the future, always interpreted with a feeling of Italian noble sportiness, the Alfa Romeo DNA from 1910".

"As an historic Italian automotive brand, Alfa Romeo was born on the racetrack," commented Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato.

"Today we are proud to continue honoring that racing DNA by placing it at heart of the future of our Brand. We are driven by passion and excellence.

"Formula One represents a cutting-edge laboratory for the future electrification of our range, fully coherent with our vision for the coming years.

"Furthermore, Motorsport brings the incomparable global exposure we wish to leverage for a successful future."

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Alfa Romeo team boss Frédéric Vasseur highlighted the importance for Sauber of its continued partnership with Alfa Romeo.

"We are delighted to be announcing the extension of this partnership. Alfa Romeo have been an incredible companion over the last few years, and we are even more excited about the chapters that are yet to come.

"The new regulations are giving us the chance to make another step forward and I firmly believe we are perfectly placed to make big gains together.

"We are looking forward to our future together and to keeping moving towards the front of the grid.

"This relationship is also very important for our company as a whole, beyond the track: the work we have done in the automotive world has shown the extent of the technology and manufacturing skills of Sauber Engineering and we are confident we can continue working for Alfa Romeo on new and exciting projects that will shape the future of the car industry."

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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.