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Alfa Romeo could enter Formula 1 in 2018 as an engine supplier to Haas F1 according to Germany's Auto Bild. This follows a statement from Ferrari's president Sergio Marchionne, who said that the name "should be reiterated as a sports brand and consider the possibility to race in F1." Marchionne also added that this return would be in collaboration with Ferrari.
In the report from Auto Bild, it is suggested that Haas' customer engines from Ferrari would bear the name of Alfa Romeo and that this in turn, could allow the Italian automotive giant to place Antonio Giovinazzi at Haas due to the Italian driver being Ferrari's reserve for 2017.
Haas joined Formula 1 in 2016 and is the newest team on the current grid. Its drivers currently are Romain Grosjean, and Kevin Magnussen, while Giovinazzi is undertaking testing roles for the team which will see him take part in a number of FP1 sessions for the remainder of 2017 - the first of which will be this weekend at the British Grand Prix. With Kevin Magnussen signed at the team in 2018 however, and with it looking probable that Grosjean will continue his relationship with the American outfit, it is hard to imagine that Giovinazzi could join the team next season.
Chris Soulsby
Grand Prix of Belgium
C. Sainz jr
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Replies (13)
Login to replyWolfgang
Posts: 313
Maybe it´s Grosjean at Ferrari next year?
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Aside from the Austria race, he hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire this season, plus he's not a spring chicken anymore. Not to mention that he has become very whiny.
Victory2011
Posts: 17
Not if they want to be a contender.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
I think that would be a nice way to reintroduce the brand into F1. Then they could always return as a factory team once they get all their ducks in row.
JoeGreen84
Posts: 30
So thats just going to be a re-branded Ferrari lump?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yes, I think Alfa would go for rebranding Ferrari units the first year or so, but sooner or later I think they'd want their own units.
ianf1
Posts: 185
Don't most of the high output V6 Alfa road cars run Ferrari designed engines?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I believe that is the case, it is that way for Maserati, so it wouldnt surprise me if its the same for Alfa Romeo.
krommenaas
Posts: 155
The Giulia Quadrifoglio, Alfa Romeo's fastest sedan, uses a Ferrari V8 that's reduced to a V6, the way I understand it.
Kurosawa
Posts: 112
it's rather ridiculous since everyone knows it's a Ferrari engine renamed Alfa Romeo
This is not what I would call Alfa entering F1 again
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It could be that they are more in it for the marketing opportunities rather than the technical feedback. They can already get said feedback from Ferrari should they require it, so all that remain for them is the marketing opportunity OR "the LoLs", and Im not sure if Marchionne would enter something just to have fun, especially not when Ferrari is already there.
WaynOF1
Posts: 2
Am I the only one that rates Magnussen over Grosjean? He has coped so much better this year, especially when the team has encountered issues. Even though the current points standing tells a different story... I think it will be a good team mate battle to watch with a potential Ferrari seat up in the air?
ianf1
Posts: 185
Nope, I'm with you on that one