Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Impalato knows that Audi is interested in acquiring the Sauber F1 Team, but explains why they aren’t concerned on their side.
Alfa Romeo returned to F1 in 2019 as part of a unique deal with Sauber. The F1 team, named Alfa Romeo and designed for the Italian brand, is still run by Sauber.
Currently, there are potential barriers to the continuation of this partnership. That is the existence of Audi.
From 2026, Audi and Porsche, a member of the Volkswagen Group, are scheduled to participate in F1, and Porsche is preparing to partner with Red Bull.
Audi’s plans are far more mysterious, but more relevant to the acquisition of the Sauber F1 Team, which, of course, puts Alfa Romeo’s position on the grid at risk.
Jean-Philippe Impalato said he was “not completely unaware” of the debate between Audi and Sauber, but said he was confident that a successful deal would open up other opportunities for Alfa Romeo.
“I have to say I’m not completely unaware of the acquisition of Audi’s Sauber F1 Team,” said Jean-Philippe Impalato.
“But that’s easy for me. I’m not going to change the business model. If someone tries someday, whatever it is, we make the decisions we have to make.”
“I have a lot of choices. The world is open to brands like Alfa Romeo that have been around for 112 years.”
“We have a positive business history. 2021 was profitable for Alfa Romeo for the first time in a few years, so it’s not really stressful. I’m totally scared of the discussions I heard in the paddock. I’m not worried or worried. “
Jean-Philippe Impalato believes that the nature of the Sauber-Alfa Romeo partnership offers “the best returns in the world”, as Alfa Romeo’s investment in F1 teams is significantly lower than other manufacturers.
The goal of Jean-Philippe Impalato is to ensure that the team “progresses every year”, which is certainly happening in 2022.
The introduction of a radical new regulation in 2022 was in line with the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Renaissance. The Alfa Romeo F1 team has scored 51 points in the first 11 races and is sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
“We invented a new business model with Sauber’s colleagues. There is dual leadership between us,” explained Jean-Philippe Impalato.
“Frederick (Vasour / Team Principal) led the team from the beginning and we stayed in the lane despite some difficult times.
“I didn’t change my strategy every morning and we didn’t move. As Alpha, I’m doing everything I can to support it and drive its development. The approach for me is sometimes struggling. Even so, I had to make progress from race to race year by year. ”
Category: Category: F1 / Alfa Romeo F1 / Sauber / Audi
