Polish sponsor Orlen has switched its allegiance from Alfa Romeo to AlphaTauri, a move that likely spells the end of Robert Kubica's career in F1.
Oil refiner and petrol retailer PKN Orlen entered F1 with Kubica in 2019 when the Pole returned to F1 with Williams. The company than moved to the Alfa Romeo F1 team where Kubica was handed a development and reserve role with the Swiss outfit.
In addition to multiple FP1 outings with Alfa, the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix winner also competed in two races with the team in 2021, at Zandvoort and Monza, substituting for Kimi Raikkonen who had tested positive for Covid.
However, Orlen's switch to AlphaTauri as a principal partner of the Faenza-based squad likely closes the curtain on Kubica's time as a Grand Prix driver.
In Abu Dhabi last November, the 38-year-old – who returned to the grid in 2019 after an eight-year hiatus and against all odds - addressed the prospect of him leaving Formula 1.
"I'm comfortable," he said. "In the end, I have been always very realistic.
"Let's be honest. At 38 it's not that you would be surprised if you will not get a drive anymore. There's too many ifs, so let's wait and see and react to it.
"I think my story showed never say never, of course. To be honest, the only reason I'm still here is that I get the chance to drive sometimes, and for sure the day I will not get even any car driving, probably it will be the end."
Alfa Romeo has filled the void created by Orlen's departure by signing up new partner Stake, an Australian-based online betting company founded in 2017.
As a reminder, Alfa Romeo will end its branding deal with Sauber at the end of this season. The Hinwill squad has described its deal with Stake -rumored to be worth $100 million for three years according to the Sydney Morning Herald - as a "record-breaking new title partnership" that will create a new identity for the team.
"We welcome Stake as a new co-title partner for the team in what represents the start of a new era for us both," commented Sauber managing director Alessando Alunni Bravi.
"F1 has seen a huge increase in interest over the last few years and the arrival of brands such as Stake are representative of the massive exposure our sport can offer.
"We are excited to join such a portfolio of sports and entertainment brands and we’re looking forward to the activation programme that Stake will unveil for our fans."
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