Sauber has announced a change in the name of the team ahead of the 2019 F1 season with it becoming ‘Alfa Romeo Racing’.
Having started its journey in the 1993 season as ‘Team Sauber Formula 1’, the Swiss outfit has been an active participant in the F1 championship for 25 years despite ownership changes after it was founded by Peter Sauber.
The independent team was sold to BMW and still ran as ‘BMW Sauber’ between 2006 and 2010 seasons, but it returned to its privateer status from 2010 onward and the name ‘Sauber’ was kept all along until the 2018 season.
Following its tie-up with Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo in 2018 as its title sponsor, the decision has been made now to run as ‘Alfa Romeo Racing’ from the 2019 season with the Sauber name being dropped from the official entry list.
“It is a pleasure to announce that we will enter the 2019 Formula One World Championship with the Team name Alfa Romeo Racing,” said Frederic Vassuer. “After initiating the collaboration with our Title Sponsor Alfa Romeo in 2018, our team made fantastic progress on the technical, commercial and sporting side.
“This has given a boost of motivation to each team member, be that track-side or at the headquarter in Switzerland, as the hard work invested has become reflected in our results. We aim to continue developing every sector of our team while allowing our passion for racing, technology and design to drive us forward.”
Michael Manley, CEO FCA Group, added: “Alfa Romeo Racing is a new name with a long history in Formula One. We’re proud to collaborate with Sauber in bringing Alfa Romeo’s tradition of technical excellence and Italian panache to the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Make no mistake: with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi on one side of the pit wall and Alfa Romeo and Sauber expertise on the other, we are here to compete.” The Ferrari connection becomes deeper with a revamped partnership with Alfa Romeo.
After few years of struggles, Sauber did well in 2018 when they finished eighth in the championship with the partnership of Alfa Romeo. The growth is to continue when they start the 2019 season with Raikkonen and Giovinazzi.
[Read: Vassuer credits team for 2018 success]