Alfa Romeo set deadline to decide F1 future with Sauber

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Alfa Romeo says it will make a call on the future of its partnership with Sauber in Formula 1 in July.

Alfa returned to F1 in 2018, partnering with the Swiss outfit in a naming rights deal that was extended last summer on the basis of a multi-year agreement.

However, the partnership is submitted to yearly assessments by Alfa Romeo.

Since 2018, Alfa has been constrained to the lower tier of the field, with the team never finishing higher than eighth in the F1 Constructors' Championship.

©AlfaRomeo

However, the introduction this year of F1's new-generations cars and the arrival at Hinwil of F1 veteran Valtteri Bottas have boosted Alfa's results, with the Swiss outfit currently sitting fifth in the Constructors' standings.

Alfa's productive start to its 2022 campaign will hopefully weigh positively on the legendary Quadrifoglio manufacturer's decision to extend its presence in F1.

Read also: Bottas spurred on by battle with Mercedes' Russell

"The future of the partnership between Alfa Romeo and Sauber will be announced in July,” said Alfa Chief executive Jean-Philippe Imparato, quoted by Motorsport.com.

"It will not be a complicated process. There are two aspects we will evaluate – results and economic return."

Carlos Tavares, CEO of the Stellantis automotive group of which Alfa Romeo is a subsidiary, was present at last weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola to promote the manufacturer's new Tonale model and to support the efforts of the Alfa Romeo F1 team.

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares on the grid at Imola

And the Portuguese executive's comments last weekend appeared to bode well for Alfa and Sauber's future together.

"As a perfect illustration of the competition spirit that drives Stellantis everyday, F1 is an extraordinary innovation lab where the most innovative solutions are tested with the final aim of increasing performance and reliability," said Tavares, who also happens to be an amateur racer.

"For us, it represents an incredible opportunity to transfer this unique know-how on production cars.

"Alfa Romeo's experience in F1 will play a key role in the evolution of the brand towards a new era of electrification and connectivity."

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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.