Sauber has announced the team will be changing its name ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season.
From this season, the Switzerland-based outfit will be known as Alfa Romeo Racing, having partnered with the Italian brand last year. It’s the latest in a series of changes for the team, who will have an all-new driver lineup for 2019, with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi replacing Charles Leclerc, who moves to Ferrari, and Marcus Ericsson, who heads to IndyCar.
Team Principal of Alfa Romeo Racing, Frederic Vasseur, told the team’s website: “It is a pleasure to announce that we will enter the 2019 Formula One World Championship with the Team name Alfa Romeo Racing. After initiating the collaboration with our Title Sponsor Alfa Romeo in 2018, our team made fantastic progress on the technical, commercial and sporting side.
“This has given a boost of motivation to each team member, be that track-side or at the headquarter in Switzerland, as the hard work invested has become reflected in our results. We aim to continue developing every sector of our team while allowing our passion for racing, technology and design to drive us forward.”
Michael Manley, the CEO of the FCA Group which owns the Alfa Romeo brand, added: “Alfa Romeo Racing is a new name with a long history in Formula One. We’re proud to collaborate with Sauber in bringing Alfa Romeo’s tradition of technical excellence and Italian panache to the pinnacle of motorsport. Make no mistake: with Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi on one side of the pit wall and Alfa Romeo and Sauber expertise on the other, we are here to compete.”
The team will launch its 2019 car on February 18th, ahead of the start of pre-season testing.