Alfa Romeo to end Sauber association at end of 2023

F1

Alfa Romeo has announced it will end its association with Sauber at the end of 2023, paving the way for an Audi tie-up

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Alfa Romeo will end its link-up with Sauber

Sauber

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Alfa Romeo has announced that its tie-up with the Sauber Formula 1 team will cease at the end of 2023, clearing the way for an Audi takeover.

The German manufacturer unveiled plans this morning to enter the world championship from 2026 as an engine supplier, with a team link-up to be announced “at the end of the year”.

This was widely thought to come in the form of a Sauber takeover, and now Alfa association with the Swiss team – essentially a sponsorship deal – will now end after the final race of next season.

“Alfa Romeo communicates that its partnership with Sauber Motorsport will end within the end of 2023,” the Italian brand said in a statement.

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“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.

“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.”

The Alfa Romeo Sauber team is one currently on the up, having chosen last season to focus on this year’s car.

It currently occupies sixth in the constructors’ table, on course for its best finish since 2013.