With a brand-new name and style, Alfa Romeo hopes it can challenge in the F1 midfield.
BARCELONA, Spain–On Monday, Alfa Romeo was the last team to launch its race car, the C38, for the 2019 launch season–just thirty minutes before the opening testing session of the year at the Circuit de Catalunya. The launch also came with new drivers, a new name, and a return to the sport after many years away.
Kimi Raikkonen (left) of Alfa Romeo Racing with Antonio Giovinazzi on Monday in Barcelona, Spain. © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Images
Originally, the team was named ‘The Alfa Romeo-Sauber F1 Team.’ That was before the start of this year when the Italian brand took over from the Swiss outfit completely. Kimi Raikkonen, who was world champion in 2006, returns with his expertise after spending many years at Ferrari, Lotus, and McLaren.
After driving with Sebastian Vettel at the Scuderia, the Finn returns. The second driver, Italian Antonio Giovanazzi, returns after driving a few seasons ago with Sauber.
Raikkonen was very impressed with what he saw in the car. “The car looks great,” he proclaimed. “The livery design is nice. A lot of partners have joined to support this team, which is positive, and we thank them for believing in us. I look forward to getting on track now and learning more about the C38 during the next two weeks of testing.”
For Giovanazzi, it was very much the same explanation. “I think it is a beautiful car–the design of the livery is great, very clean, and I like the colors a lot. It is my first car in Formula One and that’s very special to me,” he said.
“We have many great sponsors who support us and we are very thankful for their confidence in our team.” Giovanazzi continued. “I really look forward to jumping into the C38 for the first time this week.”
Simone Resta (photo, FormulaPassion.It)
Simone Resta, the team’s Technical Director, was especially thankful about the support of major sponsors. He thinks that the team can go much farther than it did with Sauber. “Since joining the team last year, I have seen progressive growth on all fronts, and I am very pleased to see the results of hard work completed over the course of this winter,” Resta said.
“We have set ambitious targets for this season, which brings along a significant change in regulations–mainly from an aerodynamic point of view,” he explained. “We have a great driver line-up and look forward to hearing their feedback in the next two weeks of testing ahead of the first Grand Prix in Melbourne.”
Frederic Vasseur, who at one point was Team Manager at Renault, got a second chance to manage when the team was Sauber last season. The results–thanks to former drivers Charles Leclerc (now at Ferrari) and Marcus Ericsson (now at Indy car) made Vasseur realize that the Alfa Romeo Team can achieve results.
“We are proud to present the Alfa Romeo Racing C38!” Vasseur exclaimed. “The livery brings out last year’s features in a stronger and edgier way. We are proud to display the logos of our partners, who have joined us in the scope of the expansion of our commercial activities,” he continued.
“I would like to thank everyone who has worked towards creating this car for their relentless enthusiasm for our team’s mission and our sport, and we look forward to continuing to make progress and fight for strong results in the upcoming championship,” Vasseur concluded.
With a brand-new name and a whole new style, the team now hopes it can challenge what could be a great battle in the F1 midfield.
