No idea. His wife, Stefania Bocchi, though still works for Ferrari. Saw pics of her at Barcelona GP. So he's got alot of free time on his hands maybe??
I doubt anyone wants to promote their cars through F1 right now. There's plenty other ways to promote your cars besides trying for that in F1. Heck..they can't even get the sounds of those damn cars right to begin with,
Alfa Romeo and Sauber Motorsport continue partnership to compete in Formula One Two of the most historical brands in the world of racing, Sauber Motorsport and Alfa Romeo, will continue their journey together until at least the end of the current era of Formula One regulations. A relationship that began in 2018 and has built the foundations for future growth will now stretch into its fourth year to further improve on its sporting success. This announcement takes place on a special week as the Imola circuit, one of the spiritual homes of Italian motorsport, returns to the Formula One calendar for the first time in more than a decade. To celebrate both these occasions, Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN will sport a special, one-off livery emblazoned with the Italian flag on the top of the roll-hoop and on the rear wing endplates – a tribute to Italy and to Alfa Romeo’s unique racing heritage in the year of its 110th birthday. The partnership between Sauber Group and Alfa Romeo extends well beyond the confines of the racetrack. Sauber Engineering, a branch of the Sauber Group, was involved in the design, development and manufacturing of Alfa Romeo’s new Giulia GTA and GTAm models, with team drivers Kimi Räikkönen and Antonio Giovinazzi test-driving the cars at Alfa Romeo’s development track in Balocco, Italy, and providing the marque’s engineers with technical feedback to fine-tunes the vehicles. Sauber Engineering’s manufacturing capabilities are also entrusted with the production of the Giulia GTA and GTAm’s carbon components, such as the new front bumper and adjustable front splitter, the side skirts, the diffuser, the GTA’s spoiler and the GTAm’s aerowing – a genuine transfer of know-how and production techniques from track to road. The renewal of the partnership between Sauber Motorsport and Alfa Romeo reinforces the team’s stability and commitment to the future, while also highlighting its ambition for future success in Formula One. Mike Manley, CEO FCA: “Racing and performance are at the core of Alfa Romeo’s DNA. The brand was practically born on a racetrack and today we continue to compete at the most technologically advanced level of motorsport. The partnership with Sauber Group also allows our customers to benefit from exclusive racing know-how, as it is the case of the all-new Giulia GTA and GTAm, which incorporate Sauber Engineering’s technical input particularly as it relates to advanced aerodynamics.” Frédéric Vasseur, Team Principal Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN and CEO Sauber Motorsport AG: “The extension of our relationship with Alfa Romeo is a true statement of intent from both parties. In Sauber, Alfa Romeo found a committed, performance-driven partner to which they could entrust their brand: we are honoured to carry the heritage and past success of Alfa Romeo in our name. Both parties always intended for this relationship to bear fruit in the long term: we have laid some solid foundations in the last three season and we aim to reap the rewards of this work in 2021 and beyond.” https://www.sauber-group.com/motorsport/f1-news/alfa-romeo-and-sauber-motorsport-continue-partnership-to-compete-in-formula-one/
Guys, a friend with a contact inside Sauber just said that Sauber and Ferrari haven't renew their contract yet. With the gossip that Giovinazzi might be in his way out and Raikkonen retiring, probably dismissed, it seems like something big will happen to Sauber, at least after 2022.
Vasseur knows Stellantis is dedicated to F1 as a group. The strategy for F1 engagement rests there at the group level. Engine wise per the note below, it appears no change is coming?? https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-alfa-romeo-has-picked-bottas-to-be-its-2022-f1-leader/6661657/ “Ferrari will do a step, we will develop the chassis - we stopped the current one at the end of '19. We are building a strong line-up for the future, so we are putting everything together, including the partnership with Stellantis. And honestly, I think for Valtteri, it's a good new chapter.
Indeed, I also thought that Sauber would be of a big strategic importance for Stellantis. But why they haven't renewed yet?
Yes, there are rumors in Swiss newspapers that Merc might power the Sauber next year. Obviously that wouldn't really work with them being an Alfa team. Hard to believe that would happen. Then again Sauber used Merc power before.
Sauber just last month extended their deal with Alfa, so running a Merc in an Alfa would be like Merc running a Honda in their F1: https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/alfa-romeo-sauber-extend-f1-naming-rights-deal-2021-07-14/ Also Vasseur stating here that hiring drivers associated to other F1 engine suppliers is an issue, given their Ferrari contract: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/why-alfa-romeo-has-picked-bottas-to-be-its-2022-f1-leader/6661657/ And finally, imagine spending the time and money involved in doing a new car to new-for-‘22 rules rules —including the not so minor job of integrating the power train—and then changing out the engine a year later. Not a realistic scenario.
--With Bottas secure the team can now turn its attention to the other seat. Crucially, Vasseur is no longer contractually obliged to take a Ferrari youngster.--
So looks like this crazy idea is really going to happen: Alfa Romeo with a Mercedes engine. Apparently Toto Wolf, who is Bottas manager, will pay his seat at Alfa with the engines. Crazy.
I don’t really follow why you think Alfa will run Merc engines. Vasseur stated they have a contract with Ferrari for engine supply and it would be a real marketing failure for Alfa if they needed to use a competitor’s engine. Have you read or heard something to the contrary?
Could you please point out where he said that? AFAIK, Sauber has a sponsorship deal with Alfa Romeo. The Ferrari supplying contract for 2022 is not yet signed.
An Alfa powered by Mercedes makes zero sense marketing wise. A Sauber powered by Mercedes makes a lot of sense. So I can't imagine Ferrari and Alfa standing by accepting Merc engines without a name change of the team.
Isn't there a limit how many engines you can provide to another team ?, i think its 4 & Mercedes is at that already so they would need the FIA & all F1 teams to agree to it first.
In the Autosport article referenced above, Vasseur, talking about candidates for the second seat next year, says: “I won't make any comment on who is on the list and who is not. On some of them it looks a bit difficult due to the link they have with engine suppliers. We have a contract with Ferrari, and it looks difficult to do these kinds of deals, or impossible. And let's see about the others.”
