Alfa Romeo extends partnership with Sauber for 2021

Alfa Romeo has reaffirmed its commitment to Formula 1 by signing for a fourth year with Sauber Motorsport into 2021.

The Italian manufacturer initially returned to F1 in 2018 as title sponsor to Sauber before the team was rebranded last year as Alfa Romeo.

While results have been patchy over the near-three full seasons to date, Alfa Romeo has confirmed it is to continue with the team.

The announcement comes ahead of F1's return to Imola for the first time since 2006 this weekend when it is expected that Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi will be confirmed as Alfa Romeo's driver line-up for 2021.

To celebrate Alfa Romeo's decision, the cars driven by Raikkonen and Giovinazzi will sport a one-off livery emblazoned with the Italian flag on the top of the roll-hoop and on the rear wing endplates.

Alfa Romeo team principal Frédéric Vasseur said: “The extension of our relationship with Alfa Romeo is a true statement of intent from both parties.

"In Sauber, Alfa Romeo found a committed, performance-driven partner to which they could entrust their brand. We are honoured to carry the heritage and past success of Alfa Romeo in our name.

"Both parties always intended for this relationship to bear fruit in the long term. We have laid some solid foundations in the last three seasons and we aim to reap the rewards of this work in 2021 and beyond.”

Mike Manley, CEO of FCA [Fiat Chrysler Automobiles] that owns Alfa Romeo, added: “Racing and performance are at the core of Alfa Romeo’s DNA.

"The brand was practically born on a racetrack and today we continue to compete at the most technologically advanced level of motorsport.

"The partnership with Sauber also allows our customers to benefit from exclusive racing know-how, as it is the case of the all-new Giulia GTA and GTAm, which incorporate Sauber Engineering’s technical input particularly as it relates to advanced aerodynamics.”

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