Alfa Romeo Says Goodbye To F1 At This Weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

–>

Alfa Romeo is parting ways with the Sauber Group at the end of the 2023 Formula One season. This means that this weekend will mark its last as the title sponsor of a full-time team, making the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix more meaningful than usual for the team.

“The season finale is always a special occasion,” the Sauber Group team wrote in a statement. “The season finale in Abu Dhabi is where we will say goodbye to our partners at Alfa Romeo after six exciting years together.”

The Italian automaker became the title sponsor for the Swiss motorsports team’s F1 entry in 2017. In that time, notable drivers such as Charles Leclerc, Marcus Ericsson, Antonio Giovinazzi, Kimi Räikkönen, Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas have battled for points with the midfield team.

Read: Audi To Field Works Team In Formula 1 Partnering With Sauber From 2026

Now, the two companies will part ways, leaving Sauber to become Audi’s factory F1 team, starting in 2026 — and not a day earlier. The historic race team says that it will not take on the German automaker’s branding in 2024 or 2025.

“Commercially speaking, it is important to have a big bang in 2026, not to dilute the Audi involvement with the team,” a spokesperson told Autosport. “So, we will continue as Sauber, based on the heritage of the group.”

The team may get another brand to serve as its title sponsor, but says it will not reveal its plans until December 10, when the FIA publishes Formula One’s entry list for the 2024 racing season.

Rumors suggest that Alfa Romeo is also looking for another team to support, with Haas tipped as a likely candidate due to its Ferrari powertrains. Evidence of that plan is likely to be kept secret until the 2024 entry list is made public.

However, for now, it will come together with Sauber to end their partnership amicably. At this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the team’s racecar will be emblazoned with the number six, to celebrate the number of years they have worked together. In addition, the words “Alfa Romeo nei nostri cuori” (Alfa Romeo, always in our hearts) will appear on the car as a final goodbye.

“For Alfa Romeo, this F1 adventure represented an international showcase at the highest level, as well as a profound human and sporting experience,” said CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato. “Alfa Romeo has competition in its DNA and will return to thrill its fans as soon as possible, when the conditions are right.”