Alfa Romeo in 2006 WTCC or not ?

**FIRE** · 16 Sep 2005, 18:52 (Ref:1409524)

Is Alfa factory team (Autodelta) confirmed for next season?

**touringlegend** · 16 Sep 2005, 19:03 (Ref:1409534)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Is Alfa factory team (Autodelta) confirmed for next season?

Monica Sipz is quoted in this weeks Autosport magazine as saying the chances of a works Alfa team next year is 50%.

She also stated that they will only run 2 Alfa 147's if they do continue for 2 years until a new model is available. As the 159 has been designated as luxury over being sporty this could well be the end of Alfa's WTCC involvement. Sipz also said that Fiat's concentration was now falling on the new Punto Rally car.

Also, if they're only running 2 cars...that means 2 drivers have to go. I did remember hearing a rumour about James Thomspon returning to the VX BTCC team next year.

I'm also going to split this thread as I feel it's worthy of some more discussion.

**FIRE** · 16 Sep 2005, 21:14 (Ref:1409596)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Monica Sipz is quoted in this weeks Autosport magazine as saying the chances of a works Alfa team next year is 50%.

Not good news....

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

She also stated that they will only run 2 Alfa 147's if they do continue for 2 years until a new model is available. As the 159 has been designated as luxury over being sporty this could well be the end of Alfa's WTCC involvement. Sipz also said that Fiat's concentration was now falling on the new Punto Rally car.

The switch to the 147 was already made public earlier. The 147 and 156 are build on the same platform (or at least a lott of parts are the same). So to develop a 147 is much cheaper as developig a new 159 and I think there's no budget to develop a proper racing version. I have my doubts about the 'luxery' reason.
IMO: Alfa Romeo = sporty, Lancia = luxery and Fiat = cheap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Also, if they're only running 2 cars...that means 2 drivers have to go. I did remember hearing a rumour about James Thomspon returning to the VX BTCC team next year.

Thompson returning to VX was indeed mentioned in another topic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

I'm also going to split this thread as I feel it's worthy of some more discussion.

It's a shame we have to discuss this topic....

**Dani Filth** · 16 Sep 2005, 21:32 (Ref:1409605)

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTT !!!!!!!!
please tell me its not true

WTCC would not be the same without Alfa .. can't really see Seat/Ford/Chevy/... . really challenging BMW for real . race after race .

Hazard · 16 Sep 2005, 21:34 (Ref:1409607)

If Alfa drop to a two car effort I wouldn't worry...

Seat will easily jump on the slack as they have a true shot at the title then with just BMW to overhaul. I'd expect them to jump to a permanant 4 car, maybe even 6 car operation - perhaps supported by secondary entrants like if not actually Oreca.

This would probably be at the expense of their BTCC operation of course.

Expect Thompson & Plato to be likely Seat riders, Farfus to be job hunting and Tarq's and Gio to remain at Alfa unless of course THEY want to leave...which is also quite likely.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Tarquini to make that return jump into a JAS Accord to be honest, if they can pick up factory money.

E46 · 18 Sep 2005, 15:08 (Ref:1410630)

Italian web corsanews.it says Nordauto could be talking with SEAT for 2006. Are we looking the end of Alfa in WTCC? I don´t like (well, i hate) Alfa Romeo, but can´t think a WTCC without them.

**FIRE** · 18 Sep 2005, 15:13 (Ref:1410632)

It would be a shame if there will be no Alfa's next season. The results of SEAT are improving but they are not on the same level as BMW and Alfa so I am afraid it will be a walk over for BMW next season.

If Nordauto switches to SEAT who will pay the bills? SEAT Italy? I hope Tarquini, Giovanardi and Thompson will be in WTCC next season.

cybersdorf · 18 Sep 2005, 15:14 (Ref:1410634)

Following today's races, I am tempted to say Good Riddance, Alfa. They make such wonderful cars yet their racing ethic is so poor.

**FIRE** · 18 Sep 2005, 15:18 (Ref:1410635)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersdorf

Following today's races, I am tempted to say Good Riddance, Alfa. They make such wonderful cars yet their racing ethic is so poor.

Like you said in the other topic. The factory BMW's are entered by different teams. It would be better if the Alfa's were entered by 2 different teams.

E46 · 19 Sep 2005, 06:42 (Ref:1411071)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

If Nordauto switches to SEAT who will pay the bills? SEAT Italy?

SEAT Italy had an official car for Morbidelli in 2004, it could do sense. I would say Alessandro Balzan could have chances to drive a future SEAT Italy car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cybersdorf

They make such wonderful cars yet their racing ethic is so poor.

I agree.

**FIRE** · 19 Sep 2005, 11:28 (Ref:1411260)

BTW isn't Nordauto called N.Technology since a while?

Gabrio · 19 Sep 2005, 13:21 (Ref:1411339)

Nordauto, N Technology, Alfacorse and Autodelta are all different names for the same structure.

**Dani Filth** · 19 Sep 2005, 15:13 (Ref:1411438)

after reading you post Gabrio i feel much better..

. i was expecting some apocapyptic news

joking

it would be a great loss for WTCC ..

alfan · 19 Sep 2005, 19:35 (Ref:1411642)

I'll be a great loss for Touring Cars. You might hate or love this team, but Alfa has always been there...

kykiske · 21 Sep 2005, 14:56 (Ref:1413147)

WTCC just wouldn't be the same without Alfa vs BMW and the constant wrangling over regs, the pinching of the best drivers (Giovanardi's move to BMW for example) and the general all-out on track warfare that the rivalry brings.

I feel sorry for Thomo. Leaves VXR as BTCC champion for the chance of becoming a works driver on the world stage, only to have is drive pulled out from under him. Poor bloke!

alfan · 21 Sep 2005, 15:10 (Ref:1413151)

I've just find out, that Alfa Romeo has new boss - again... It's Antonio Baravalle ( Italian I think). Any news about his attitude to motorsport ? Gabrio maybe ?

Alfa Fan · 21 Sep 2005, 15:11 (Ref:1413152)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kykiske

I feel sorry for Thomo. Leaves VXR as BTCC champion for the chance of becoming a works driver on the world stage, only to have is drive pulled out from under him. Poor bloke!

He'll be able to get a drive in the BTCC again. His reputation is still strong in Britain, although interest in him has seriously declined. IMO, it was the worst move of his career. (Apart from maybe the abortive entry to the DTM with Abt in 2000)

hotwheels · 25 Oct 2005, 18:49 (Ref:1443264)

Italianracing says today that Alfa team is over for 2006.

E46 · 25 Oct 2005, 19:10 (Ref:1443274)

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotwheels

Italianracing says today that Alfa team is over for 2006.

Alfa Romeo 159 isn´t (wasn´t) easy to homologate. If it´s true, shocking new for WTCC.

**Dani Filth** · 25 Oct 2005, 19:13 (Ref:1443276)

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotwheels

Italianracing says today that Alfa team is over for 2006.

.. so no motorsport program for Alfa Romeo in 2006 ???
any other source ?? ... Autosport ??

E46 · 25 Oct 2005, 19:22 (Ref:1443286)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

any other source ?? ... Autosport ??

Sportautomoto is saying it.

**FIRE** · 25 Oct 2005, 19:30 (Ref:1443294)

If I am right there was or is a meeting about the WRC this week. Have they [FIA, manufacturers] given the green light to the rally version of S2000, which results in the fact that FIAT is focussing on the FIAT Punto S2000 rally project instead of the Alfa WTCC project?

Marcel ten Caat · 25 Oct 2005, 19:35 (Ref:1443296)

Looks like WTCC is no longer a priority. FIA GT and WRC are with Maserati and FIAT.

kmchow · 25 Oct 2005, 19:48 (Ref:1443303)

Is this still a rumor or has it been made official??

**FIRE** · 25 Oct 2005, 20:07 (Ref:1443317)

Here's the Italiaracing.net article translated with Babelfish.

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