The Alfa Romeo F1 Team is a powerhouse in the world of Formula One racing, with a talented group of drivers and crew members who work tirelessly to achieve success on the track. Take a behind-the-scenes look at this impressive team and learn what sets them apart from the competition.
The Rise of Alfa Romeo F1 Team: A Look at Their Journey
Alfa Romeo is a name that evokes passion, history, and excellence in the world of motorsport.
The Italian car manufacturer has been involved in Formula One since its inception in 1950, winning the first two championships with legendary drivers Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio.
However, the team has also faced many challenges and changes throughout its long and rich heritage, from leaving the sport in 1985 to returning in 2018 as a sponsor and naming partner of Sauber.
In this article, we will trace the journey of Alfa Romeo F1 Team, from its origins to its current status, and look at its achievements, struggles and future prospects.
The Early Years: Dominance and Withdrawal
Alfa Romeo was one of the founding members of Formula One in 1950, entering the first season with its pre-war Alfetta cars.
The team dominated the competition, winning six of the seven races and securing the drivers’ title for Nino Farina, who became the first ever Formula One world champion.
The following year, Alfa Romeo repeated its success, with Juan Manuel Fangio taking the crown after a fierce battle with Ferrari’s Alberto Ascari. The team also won the constructors’ championship, which was introduced in 1958.
However, Alfa Romeo faced increasing competition from Ferrari, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz, who had more advanced and powerful cars.
The team also struggled with financial difficulties and political pressure from the Italian government, which wanted Alfa Romeo to focus on road car production rather than racing.
As a result, Alfa Romeo withdrew from Formula One at the end of 1951, leaving behind a legacy of 10 race victories, 26 podiums and two championships.
The Comeback: Engine Supplier and Constructor
Although Alfa Romeo left Formula One as a constructor, it remained involved in the sport as an engine supplier for several teams in the 1960s and 1970s.
Some of these teams were Brabham, McLaren, March and Osella, who used independently developed Alfa Romeo engines to power their cars. However, none of these engine combinations scored any championship points.
In the mid-1970s, Alfa Romeo engineer Carlo Chiti designed a new flat-12 engine to replace the old V8 engine that was used in the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 sports car.
This engine proved to be successful in winning the 1975 World Sportscar Championship. Bernie Ecclestone, then owner of the Brabham Formula One team, persuaded Alfa Romeo to supply this engine for free for the 1976 Formula One season.
The Brabham-Alfa Romeo partnership was moderately successful, scoring 14 podium finishes and two race victories for Niki Lauda in 1977 and 1978.
In 1979, Alfa Romeo decided to return as a constructor, taking over its sporting department Autodelta.
The team entered with its own chassis and engine, hoping to replicate its glory days from the early 1950s. However, this second period as a constructor was less successful than the first.
The team suffered from reliability issues, poor aerodynamics, and lack of funding. Between 1979 and 1985, Alfa Romeo did not win a single race and never finished higher than sixth in the constructors’ championship. The team also supplied engines to Osella from 1983 to 1987, but they only scored two points during this period.
The Rebranding: Sauber Becomes Alfa Romeo
The partnership between Alfa Romeo and Sauber was announced in December 2017, with the aim of reviving the historic name of Alfa Romeo in Formula One and strengthening the collaboration with Ferrari2.
Sauber had been using Ferrari engines since 2010 and had a close relationship with the Italian manufacturer. Alfa Romeo became the title sponsor and naming partner of Sauber F1 Team, which was renamed as Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for the 2018 season.
The rebranding was seen as a positive move for both parties, as Alfa Romeo could benefit from the exposure and prestige of Formula One, while Sauber could gain access to more resources and technical support from Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.
The team also hoped to attract more sponsors and partners with the new identity.
The team’s drivers for the 2018 season were Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc, who was a Ferrari junior driver and a rising star in Formula One. The team’s car, the C37, featured a prominent Alfa Romeo logo on the engine cover and a red-and-white livery inspired by the Italian flag.
The Performance: A Mixed Bag Of Results
The 2018 season was a mixed bag of results for Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team. On one hand, the team showed significant improvement compared to the previous year, when it finished last in the constructors’ championship with only five points.
In 2018, the team scored 48 points and finished eighth in the standings, ahead of Toro Rosso and Williams. The team also achieved some notable results, such as Leclerc’s sixth place in Azerbaijan, his seventh place in Russia and his eighth place in Brazil.
Ericsson also scored some points finishes, such as his ninth place in Bahrain and his tenth place in Germany.
On the other hand, the team also faced some challenges and difficulties throughout the season. The team’s car was not very reliable, suffering from several mechanical failures and retirements.
The team also struggled with tire management and race pace, especially in hot conditions. The team’s performance was also inconsistent, as it often qualified well but dropped back in the races.
Charles Leclerc Impressed
The highlight of the season for Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team was Leclerc’s impressive debut campaign.
The Monegasque driver scored 39 points and finished 13th in the drivers’ championship, outperforming his more experienced teammate Ericsson by a large margin. Leclerc also impressed with his speed, consistency, and maturity, earning praise from many observers and rivals.
His performance earned him a promotion to Ferrari for the 2019 season, replacing Kimi Raikkonen.
Inside the Alfa Romeo F1 Team: Meet the Drivers and Crew
The departure of Leclerc to Ferrari triggered a series of changes for Alfa Romeo F1 Team for the 2019 season.
The team decided to sign Kimi Raikkonen as his replacement, bringing back the Finnish veteran who had started his Formula One career with Sauber in 2001.
Raikkonen brought with him a wealth of experience, knowledge, and popularity, as well as a strong relationship with Ferrari. The team also decided to replace Ericsson with Antonio Giovinazzi, another Ferrari junior driver.
Alfa Romeo F1 Drivers 2021
The team’s drivers for the 2021 season were Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, who had been teammates since 2019. Raikkonen was the most experienced driver on the grid, having started his Formula One career with Sauber in 2001 and winning the world championship with Ferrari in 2007.
Giovinazzi was a Ferrari junior driver who had made his debut with Sauber in 2017 as a substitute for Pascal Wehrlein.
The team’s car for the 2021 season was the C41, which featured some aerodynamic changes and a slightly improved Ferrari engine.
The team scored 11 points and finished ninth in the constructors’ championship, ahead of Williams. The team’s best result was fifth place, achieved by Giovinazzi in Saudi Arabia.
The team also scored points with Raikkonen’s ninth place in Qatar and Giovinazzi’s tenth place in Russia. The team showed some progress and consistency compared to 2020, but still lacked the speed to challenge the midfield teams.
Raikkonen announced his retirement from Formula One at the end of the season, ending a remarkable career that spanned two decades and included 21 race wins, 103 podiums and one title.
The Finn was known for his cool and calm demeanor, his dry sense of humor and his no-nonsense attitude. He was also respected by his peers and fans for his raw talent, his racing instincts, and his passion for the sport.
Giovinazzi also ended his stint with Alfa Romeo after three full seasons, having scored 18 points and achieved a best finish of fifth place.
The Italian had shown flashes of speed and potential, especially in qualifying, but had also struggled with inconsistency and mistakes. He had hoped to secure a seat at Ferrari or another top team but was overlooked by other options.
Alfa Romeo F1 Drivers 2022
The team’s drivers for the 2022 season were Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.
Bottas has joined the team from Mercedes, where he had been Lewis Hamilton’s teammate since 2017. Zhou made his Formula One debut as the first Chinese driver to race in the sport.
Bottas is a proven race winner, having scored nine victories, 63 podiums and 17 pole positions during his career. He was a loyal and reliable partner for Hamilton, helping Mercedes win five constructors’ titles in a row.
Bottas faced criticism for not being able to challenge Hamilton more consistently. He has also been overshadowed by other drivers such as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
Bottas also brought valuable experience, knowledge, and feedback to help the team develop its car and improve its performance. He has shown his true potential and personality without being under Hamilton’s shadow.
Zhou is a rising star who has impressed in Formula Two. In that series he finished third in 2020 and second in 2021.
The Alfa Romeo 2020 Results
In 2020, Alfa Romeo F1 team finished eighth in the constructors’ championship with eight points, ahead of Haas and Williams.
The team’s drivers were Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, who scored four points each. The team’s best result was ninth place, achieved by Raikkonen in Tuscany and Emilia Romagna. Giovinazzi also came in 9th in Austria and Germany.
The team struggled with a lack of pace and performance from its Ferrari engine and its C39 car.
The Alfa Romeo 2021 Results
In 2021, Alfa Romeo F1 team retained Raikkonen and Giovinazzi as its drivers and introduced a new car, the C41. This had some aerodynamic changes and a slightly improved Ferrari engine.
The team scored 11 points and finished ninth in the constructors’ championship, ahead of Williams. The team’s best result was fifth place, achieved by Giovinazzi in Saudi Arabia.
The team also scored points with Raikkonen’s ninth place in Qatar and Giovinazzi’s tenth place in Russia.
The team showed some progress and consistency compared to 2020, but still lacked the speed to challenge the midfield teams.
The Future Of The Alfa Romeo F1 Team
The team will likely revert to the Sauber name for the interim seasons in 2024 and 2025. In 2026 it will become the Audi factory team. The team will also switch from Ferrari engines to Audi engines, which will require a significant adaptation and development.
The team’s driver choice for 2024 will depend on several factors, such as performance, availability, budget, and marketability.
Bottas and Zhou are both contracted until the end of 2023. They could extend their stay if they perform well and enjoy their partnership. They could also face competition from other drivers who may be looking for a seat or a change of scenery.
Some of the possible candidates for Alfa Romeo’s 2023 line-up are:
Audi’s Preferred Drivers
Audi Have Stated They Would Prefer German Drivers, which would leave them with the following options,
Nico Hulkenberg
The German driver is one of the Haas drivers for 2023, alongside Magnussen.
He could be available for Alfa Romeo if Haas decides to end its partnership with Ferrari. This would happen if they switch to another engine supplier.
Hulkenberg has experience and consistency, having raced for Williams, Force India, Sauber and Renault.
Mick Schumacher
Haas let Mick goat end of 2022, he joined Mercedes as a test and reserve driver for the 2023 season.
Under Toto Wolff’s tutelage many of the difficulties he experienced in 2022 will be overcome. This could make him and option for Alfa Romeo.
Schumacher has pedigree and potential, but he needs a more competitive car to show his true talent3.
Alfa Romeo’s Results since the team was formed
| Year | Team Name | Drivers | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Alfa Romeo S.p.A. | Juan Manuel Fangio Giuseppe Farina Luigi Fagioli Reg Parnell Piero Taruffi Consalvo Sanesi | — | |
| 1951 | Alfa Romeo S.p.A. | Juan Manuel Fangio Giuseppe Farina Luigi Fagioli Felice Bonetto Toulo de Graffenried Consalvo Sanesi Paul Pietsch | — | |
| 1952 – 1978: Alfa Romeo did not compete as a constructor | ||||
| 1979 | Autodelta | Bruno Giacomelli Vittorio Brambilla | 0 | NC |
| 1980 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Patrick Depailler Vittorio Brambilla Andrea de Cesaris Bruno Giacomelli | 4 | 11th |
| 1981 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Mario Andretti Bruno Giacomelli | 10 | 9th |
| 1982 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Andrea de Cesaris Bruno Giacomelli | 7 | 10th |
| 1983 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Andrea de Cesaris Mauro Baldi | 18 | 6th |
| 1984 | Benetton Team Alfa Romeo | Riccardo Patrese Eddie Cheever | 11 | 8th |
| 1985 | Benetton Team Alfa Romeo | Riccardo Patrese Eddie Cheever | 0 | NC |
| 1986 – 2018: Alfa Romeo did not compete as a constructor | ||||
| 2019 | Alfa Romeo Racing | Kimi Räikkönen Antonio Giovinazzi | 57 | 8th |
| 2020 | Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen | Kimi Räikkönen Antonio Giovinazzi | 8 | 8th |
| 2021 | Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen | Kimi Räikkönen Robert Kubica Antonio Giovinazzi | 13 | 9th |
| 2022 | Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen | Valtteri Bottas Zhou Guanyu | 55 | 6th |
| 2023 | Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake | Valtteri Bottas Zhou Guanyu | 6* | 8th* |
Conclusion
Alfa Romeo F1 Team has a rich history and a bright future in Formula One. It also faces some challenges and uncertainties along the way.
