Rumour - Alfa Romeo shaping up to buy Sauber
- Published on 04 Jun 2018 09:25
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- By: Jeroen Jonkers
Sauber looks to be moving ever closer together with Ferrari.
Already Ferrari-powered, the Swiss team is this year being title sponsored by Alfa Romeo, which like Ferrari is a Fiat Chrysler brand.
It was already conspicuous that Sauber's new technical boss, replacing the ousted Jorg Zander, will be Simone Resta, who until now was Ferrari's long serving chief designer.
And now, Handelszeitung reports that Sauber's ownership has changed.
For the past two years, Sauber has been owned by the mysterious investment company Longbow Finance.
But now, ownership of the Hinwil based team has been moved into a company called Islero Investments.
"Islero Investments has taken over the position of Longbow Finance," said Longbow's boss Pascal Picci.
The big rumour is that the change could be a precursor to Alfa Romeo taking over Sauber completely. Handelszeitung said a delegation of Sauber staff is scheduled to visit Ferrari's Maranello headquarters.
Picci insisted: "Sauber will remain independent for the foreseeable future."
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Replies (9)
Login to replyKean
Posts: 692
If it's true, then it likely means that Ericsson is out and Giovinazzi is in for 2019.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Im not so sure, the kinda cash and experience Ericsson brings to the team isnt to be underestimated. 'sides, he aint bad. Not F1 material, thats true, but not bad.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
But, Cash would hardly be a problem for Alfa ( particularly, when there is a junior available)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Maybe, maybe not. Every penny helps.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I sure hope not... While I would love to see Alfa back in F1 properly, this would simply be the case of a Junior Ferrari team. It would be another Toro Rosso but probably more shameless when it comes to helping out the parent company. Besides, Sauber it's kind of a legacy name in F1 it would also be sad to see it go.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Whats the difference compared to what they already are now? Ferrari already keep their concubines very close, might aswell make it official. Yet oddly enough, I didnt expect Merc' to be the first to pull the trigger and make the control they have over Force India official this soon.
Mind, I think they could retain Sauber. As you say, Sauber has been in F1 for a long time now, and retaining the name might be beneficial for them. Just make it Sauber Alfa Romeo, and we'll get both of it. The old Sauber is gone either way, its time to build something new on this basis.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I think Sauber still maintains some independence. I think that's the only reasons Ericsson was retained. Regarding Mercedes I was surprised and dissapointed by basically issuing team orders on Force India. That was bulls***t. Especially since there are ways to make it look a bit more legitimate. This was blatant.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A certain degree for sure, but nevertheless it is a de facto Ferrari B team. I was really expecting Ferrari to be the team to first pull the trigger, but for Merc' to as you say do it so obviously and not even deny it afterwards is mindboggling, especially considering there doesnt seem to be any penalties waiting them afterwards. Im concerned, to say the least, and I've lost alot of respect for Wolff after this.
dr002
Posts: 141
This is why F1 needs a competition within a competition. Make the factory teams field three cars (giving more drivers access to a top drive) and have them fight for an engine championship, and then have the remaining teams field two cars each and have them fight for the constructors championship.