Marchionne links Alfa Romeo F1 return to car sales

Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne says Alfa Romeo’s potential return to Formula One hinges on an increase in car sales over the next few years.

The idea of a competitive comeback for the historic marque has been floating for several months now, with Marchionne, also the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, keen to boost Alfa Romeo's brand awareness world wide. The marque’s logo already features prominently on this year’s Ferrari SF16-H.

Speaking to the Italian media at the launch of the new Giula road car this week, Marchionne said: “I do not know if Alfa Romeo will join Formula One, but if it does it will not be simply as an engine supplier, but as a full factory team.

“Much will depend on the success of the Giulia and how many cars we sell.

“It will require serious funds. To invest in racing you need to sell a lot of cars and today we are just at the beginning.”

ESPN reports that the Giula headlines a series of new cars set to hit the market in the near future, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles investing some €5 billion (£3.95bn) in a bid to score an upturn in sales.

Alfa Romeo's F1 journey includes powering Nino Farina and Juan-Manuel Fangio to the series’ first two Drivers’ titles in 1950 and 1951. The Italian make then scaled back its involvement to an activity of engine supply for over three decades before returning for a brief stint as a constructor from 1979-1985.

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