By Carlo Platella
Alfa Romeo is looking for a new sports program after the closure of the sponsorship relationship with Sauber in Formula 1 at the end of 2023. Recently a return of the Italian brand to the world endurance championship had been hypothesized, alongside or taking over from the other Stellantis brand, namely Peugeot. However, nothing has yet been decided, with the group carefully evaluating the growing championships, trying to stay away from categories at risk of implosion.
The choice within the year
“The decision has not yet been made,” explains Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, who met a small group of journalists during the recent Misano E-Prix. “Considering our responsibility to grow a fantastic brand like Alfa Romeo, it's clear that Alfa will return to racing at some point. It is part of its DNA, it is in the history of the brand and we feel this responsibility. Discussions are ongoing between Jean Marc Finot [vicepresidente di Stellantis Motorsport, ndr] and Jean Philippe Learned [CEO Alfa Romeo, ndr]. The decision will not be made before the end of the year.”
At the moment Stellantis is active in Formula E and the World Endurance Championship with three different programs, on whose evolution the fate of Alfa will depend: “We are happy to be in Formula E with DS and Maserati, we believe it is the future of motorsport. At the same time it is not our only activity. We also have the Peugeot program in the WEC. Based on how the activities in the two championships go, we will decide what will be best for Alfa Romeo”.
Question of timing
The choice of the championship in which Alfa Romeo will enter will also depend on its state of health, with Tavares explaining the importance of seizing the right moment: “What is observed in all categories of motorsport is that the same cycle always repeats: the championship starts well, then inflates, explodes, goes back and so on. The moment of entry into this cycle is strategically important. You don't want to enter during the inflation phase just before the implosion, you would find yourself without opponents, but you want to arrive in a period in which the championship is growing and there is a good starting base, to give even more value to any victories”.
“This is the case of the WEC, where we entered at the right time, obtaining a good return in terms of marketing”, continues the CEO of Stellantis. “Our expectation is to win before the implosion and the end of this cycle. So yes, Alfa Romeo will returnbut where and when is not yet decided.” All that remains is to wait to find out where what appears more and more like a certain return for Alfa Romeo to motorsport will materialise.
#Alfa #Romeo #returns #racing #decision #year
