Stepping away from Formula 1, Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has clarified that the company opted not to align with Haas to avoid being a mere “sticker” on the team. As Sauber transitioned towards becoming Audi, Alfa Romeo announced that the 2023 F1 season would mark their final stint as the title sponsor for the Hinwil team.
This sparked speculation about a potential move to Haas, another Ferrari-powered team, though team boss Guenther Steiner played down these rumors. When asked about the connection with Haas, Steiner mentioned in June that Alfa Romeo had explored possibilities for the future but remained tight-lipped about their plans.
However, introductory discussions between the two teams yielded no concrete results, and Alfa Romeo ultimately bid farewell to Formula 1 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Imparato provided insights into the decision, telling Autosport, “We weren’t interested in pursuing a copy/paste operation similar to what was done with Sauber. We didn’t want to be just another entity putting stickers on the bodywork. It would have lacked novelty, and we wouldn’t have been part of a unique narrative.”
Turning their attention elsewhere, Alfa Romeo is now set to venture into the World Endurance Championship (WEC), although specific plans are yet to be finalized. A potential collaboration with Peugeot is on the table, as the Stellantis group, to which Alfa Romeo belongs, already has two brands involved in Formula E.
Imparato explained, “Alfa Romeo has no history in rallying, and the Stellantis group is already engaged in Formula E with two brands. Hence, our focus shifted to the WEC, a realm where Alfa Romeo has enjoyed past remarkable experiences.”
Regarding their WEC involvement, Imparato noted the current enthusiasm in the WEC world but emphasized the need to comprehend the investment required for ambitious goals. While considering a partnership with Peugeot, he highlighted the importance of having a clear understanding before embarking on the project.
He said, “When we return to the track, it will be under the umbrella of Stellantis’ motorsport projects. As Peugeot is already present in the WEC, collaboration is highly plausible. However, we cannot confirm anything at this moment; the details will be disclosed upon completion of our planning and investment evaluation.”