Alfa Romeo has announced that it will end its F1 title sponsorship agreement with Sauber at the end of the 2023 season, amid rumors of Audi's acquisition of the Hinwil outfit.
Sauber has raced in F1 under the Alfa Romeo name since 2019, having initiated its commercial partnership with the Italian manufacturer in 2018.
While the two parties were linked by a multi-year deal, the collaboration is submitted to an annual review.
But in light of Audi's probable acquisition of a majority stake in Sauber, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato likely decided to terminate the partnership at the end of 2023.
"Alfa Romeo announced its return in F1 in 2017 with a long-term plan, and in July 2022 has announced the decision to continue its partnership with Sauber also for 2023, given to the promising results of the first half of the season, both in terms of performances, marketing and positive collaboration with the team," Alfa said in a statement on Friday.
"Since the economic and industrial turnaround of the brand will be achieved in 2022, Alfa Romeo will now evaluate among the many opportunities on the table, and decide which will be the best one to sustain the long-term strategy and the positioning of the brand."
Audi announced on Friday that it had registered with the FIA as an official F1 engine manufacturer from 2026, but the German brand has yet to choose its team and chassis partner, a deal that will be closed by the end of the year it stated.
While McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin were all seen as potential candidates to tie-up with Audi, the Ingolstadt firm's potential buy-in at Sauber would perhaps best suit its operational, engineering and logistical needs.
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