Alfa Romeo considering return to F1 "It's incredible how the Alfa Romeo brand remains in people's hearts," Marchionne was quoted by Italian media. "For that reason we are thinking of it returning to Formula One racing as our competitor. "It's important for Alfa Romeo to return. It will be another competitor" Even if it's rebadged Ferrari, I like it. Would be kind of cool if that's what they called their Haas tie up, might play well with the return of Alfa to the US, especially if they can challenge for the odd-podium and consistent points (ie Williams), but it sounds as though Marchionne is considering it as a true Ferrari competitor (which I think would be a Honda sized disaster)...
I can well imagine FCA buying Toro Rosso one day, rebranding it Alfa Romeo, and using re-badged Ferrari engines. Up to the 80s, Alfa competed in touring car, rallying, endurance and sporadically in F1 before dropping out completely of motor racing. There are still some passionate Alfista about, although they are far and few compared to the Ferrari fans.
I can see rebadged Ferrari engines like Renault/Infinity but nothing else. I doubt that Marchione can afford a F1 team.
I also agree. About 5 years ago I thought Alfa should enter the Le Mans endurance racing series using their diesel engines. Since the leaders of that series have gone to hybrids, it no longer makes any sense unless they can get some KERS technology from F1 or Ferrari's hybrid system from their La Ferrari. Overall I think that if they entered F1, they would be a junior team to Ferrari with the only hope of a podium finish would be if there was some DNF for Ferrari. Maybe from a manufacturers stand point it would make sense, but do we want to cheer for an Alfa team with no hope of being competitive? Jeff Dallas, Texas
80s...? Alfa dominated DTM in the mid-90s with the 155 V6 Ti and other European touring car series with the 155 TS.
You are correct; that was the swansong of Alfa Romeo in motor racing. Sad end for a firm that won F1 drivers championships, sport cars championships, had many GT class wins, won rallies, etc... FIAT killed AUTODELTA, like it killed Lancia HF, to concentrate on Ferrari.
I think it's all PR talk. The condition of F1 now...it's hardly any reason for anyone to ply their trade there.
I think there is a game going on, merchionne is teasing Bernie with the possibility of another team, he obviously wants Bernie to cave on something else. I hope it's dropping all the hybrid crap and fuel limits
This I could see as the strategic goal. Oh the games Found this - http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/122241 Ferrari want the rule book scrapped. Not asking much Sid It is the holidays and Santa can be generous lol
Alfa is a key brand in Sergio's plans to grow FCA. All the restructuring is, IMO to facilitate new production plants. He'd rather merge but will do it alone if necessary. SM has very big plans for Alfa. Top line racing makes sense, including F1.
+ 156 WTCC/ETCC/BTCC It killed Abarth/Lancia Corse/Fiat racing department, but not to concentrate on Ferrari. Ferrari was pretty independent.
I think it's awesome and a bargaining chip. Bernie changes the rules to SM's desire and FCA gives F1 another team. Alfa is going to take on BMW and Mercedes in the US now with the Giulia. Makes sense to me.
Sure, why not? What else were they gonna do with all of that RACE IPO cash? I was hoping they'd just focus the cash windfall on winning a F1 Championship for themselves but adding Alfa to the mix would be terrific.
I don't know about that! It seems to me that Alfa would have a mountain to climb before it can compete against the German car makers. The odds are against Alfa and Marchionese if that's his plan. I don't know about the States, but in Europe, the decline of the mainstream Italian makes (FIAT, Alfa, Lancia, Autobianchi, etc...) came mostly from their poor dealers network and abyssimal after sale service. Even the Alfa and Lancia enthusiasts got fed up of having to look for a dealer (they kept changing) and chasing spare parts for months. I speak as a former customer. Compared to that, the Germans are very well organised.
I don't disagree with anything you said. But, they took the man responsible for the 458, gave him the team he hand picked and virtually no rules, and the Giulia was the result. It looks amazing to me, and if I didn't have the m3 already, I would be very tempted. Still, I would prepare myself for a different experience than with a BMW ; )
Well, I don't know about you, but after sale and customer service is AS important than the vehicle itself when I am buying. I use my head and not my heart when I choose my car, and I have several times declined to buy a car I really fancied, because of poor service network. I must add that I was in the car trade many years ago. The Alfa network would really have to be outstanding (which is unlikely here) before they tempt me to buy one of their cars. I would rather stick with Mercedes!
Your last sentence says it all, doesn't it? A good car and bad infrastructure, supply chain, etc. , can make a good car a bad experience. Years ago here in the US, Excelsior Henderson was rejuvenated. A motorcycle industry guy predicted failure because they, unlike then new Victory, or the long established players, had no way to get parts, knowledge, etc., to the dealers....and so fail it did. william says Euro owners have given up on Alfa, I don't see how US can possibly be different.
this. how about bringing back the great days of the tipo 33!! forget f-1...very, very close to becoming a "who cares" series.
I think FCA knows everything you guys know and have stated here - so now it's up to them. The first step is to build an amazing car - looks like the Giulia is just that. But as you both point out, ultimate success commercially relies on much more than just the car. I hope they do it for the most basic of reasons - the Giulia seems absolutely awesome and unique. It will push BMW to make an even better M3, and Merc better AMGs, etc.
