Behind the Livery: Alfa Romeo (Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber)

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/iPRmH7rTlPo

Team History

Taylor

The team now known as Alfa Romeo began competing in 1993 as Sauber F1 Team, founded by Swiss engineer Peter Sauber. They operated independently until 2018 when the team was rebranded as Alfa Romeo to represent the Italian manufacturer's deepening sponsorship ties and technical partnership with Sauber. The team has remained Swiss-based under continued Sauber ownership and management.

Team Ownership

Taylor

Peter Sauber sold his controlling 66.6% stake to BMW in 2005. After BMW's withdrawal in 2010, investment firm Longbow Finance acquired the BMW shares to become the majority owner. They have continued providing ownership stability and investment. Alessandro Alunni Bravi is the current team principal and Jean-Philippe Imparato is the current CEO.

Team Name and Identity

Taylor

From 1993 to 2018 the team competed as Sauber F1 Team. In 2019 Longbow Finance rebranded them as Alfa Romeo Racing to formalize the growing ties between Sauber and title sponsor Alfa Romeo. Their red and white livery mirrors the classic colors of Alfa Romeo road cars.

Technical Partnerships

Taylor

Alfa Romeo fields Ferrari power units in the cars. They have an extensive technical wind tunnel partnership with Sauber Aerodynamics based at former Sauber facilities. Alfa Romeo has also provided engineering and design cooperation on the chassis and bodywork until 2023.

Driver Lineup

Taylor

Notable past Sauber drivers were Raikkonen, Massa, and Perez. Current drivers are Valtteri Bottas bringing his experience from Mercedes and Zhou Guanyu, China's first full-time F1 driver. Prior to his retirement, Raikkonen scored 12 podiums from 2001-2009 during Sauber's most competitive era.

Team Achievements

Taylor

Sauber's best Constructor result was 2nd in 2001. Robert Kubica earned BMW-Sauber its only F1 win as an independent at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix™. Total team points are 730 with 19 podium finishes but no wins since becoming Alfa Romeo.

Team Culture and Values

Taylor

Sauber built a reputation for technical sophistication with a Swiss precision approach. Lacking the massive budget of major manufacturers, efficient development, and consistent point scoring for an independent team define Sauber and now Alfa Romeo's culture.

Team Headquarters and Facilities

Taylor

The team is based in Hinwil, Switzerland at Sauber's state-of-the-art facilities. Their advanced wind tunnel here allows aerodynamic development to remain independent. Support for Alfa Romeo's engineering integration comes from operations in Italy.

Rivalries

Taylor

As a smaller independent team, Alfa Romeo lacks major historic rivalries compared to the manufacturer teams. They take pride in scoring points and occasional podiums by extracting the most from their resources where other private teams have faltered.

Technical Innovations

Jahnvi

Alfa Romeo has recently ended its longstanding partnership with Orlen and inked a fresh multi-year agreement with Stake, a crypto casino and sports betting platform. As part of this arrangement, Stake will assume the role of Alfa Romeo’s new title sponsor, resulting in the team being officially recognized as Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake throughout at least the entirety of the 2023 Formula One™ season.

Additionally, the team has forged a technical partnership with Fix Network, concentrating on elevating the visibility of the automotive aftermarket company’s brand. This collaboration extends to knowledge exchange in key areas, including aerodynamics, materials science, and data analysis.

Sponsorships and Partnerships

Jahnvi

Alfa Romeo has entered into an agreement designating Aioka as their global concierge supplier for the upcoming 2023 Formula One™ season. The collaboration made its debut at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix™. Aioka is set to deliver supplementary experiences for guests, corporate entities, and individuals throughout the entirety of the season.

Season-by-Season Performance

Jahnvi

Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen (formerly known as Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team) has been a part of Formula One™ in recent years as a collaboration between the Sauber team and Alfa Romeo.

2018

• Alfa Romeo returns to Formula One™ as a title sponsor for the Sauber team

• Drivers: Marcus Ericsson and Charles Leclerc

• Chassis: C37

• Engine: Ferrari 1.6 L V6 turbo hybrid

• Total Points: 48 points

2019

• The team continues as Alfa Romeo Racing with drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi

• Chassis: C38

• Engine: Ferrari 1.6 L V6 turbo hybrid

• Total Points: 57 points

2020

• Drivers: Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi

• Chassis: C39

• Engine: Ferrari 1.6 L V6 turbo hybrid

• Total Points: 8 points

2021

• Drivers: Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi

• Chassis: C41

• Engine: Ferrari 1.6 L V6 turbo hybrid

• Total Points: Points will depend on the performance throughout the season, and this information may not be available until the end of the season

2022

• Drivers: Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu

• Chassis: C42

• Engine: Ferrari 1.6 L V6 turbo hybrid

• Total Points: Secured their best Constructors’ Championship™ finish in 6th place since the beginning of their partnership with Sauber

Team Principal and Management

Jahnvi

Alessandro Alunni Bravi is the Team Principal of Scuderia Alfa Romeo. The team’s management structure is closely aligned with Red Bull Racing, sharing resources and expertise.

Fan Base and Support

Jahnvi

Alfa Romeo, being part of the Red Bull family, enjoys support from fans of the energy drink brand. The team has gained popularity for nurturing young talent, and its drivers often have a significant fan following. The level of support may not be as extensive as that for Red Bull Racing, but it has a dedicated fan base.

Future Prospects

Jahnvi

The team’s future prospects largely depend on its ability to continue developing competitive cars and providing a platform for emerging talents. With a focus on youth development and collaboration with Red Bull Racing, Alfa Romeo aims to remain a competitive midfield team.

Notable Moments and Controversies

Jahnvi

Notable moments include Sebastian Vettel’s victory at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix™, marking Toro Rosso’s first and only win. In terms of controversies, the team has generally been less involved in major controversies compared to some of its competitors.

Team's Contribution to F1

Jahnvi

Alfa Romeo has contributed to F1 by serving as a steppingstone for young drivers, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their talent at the highest level. Several successful drivers, including Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen, began their F1 careers with the team.

Trivia and Fun Facts

Jahnvi

• The team was originally founded as Minardi in 1985 and was later acquired by Red Bull and rebranded as Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2006.

• Sebastian Vettel's win in 2008 at Monza remains Toro Rosso’s only victory.

• The team’s rebranding to AlphaTauri in 2020 reflects the fashion brand of Red Bull, emphasizing a sleek and modern image.