Alfa Romeo to return to Formula 1? - Page 2

cds_uk · 15 Feb 2016, 18:51 (Ref:3614895)

Alfa was always my favourite team as a young lad back in the 70's and 80's, like the vast majority on here i would love to see them back, either as a rebadged Ferrari engine or a Toro Rosso buyout, it makes no difference to me, all i know is it would make F1 far more interesting straight away.

Moneyseeker · 17 Feb 2016, 12:46 (Ref:3615431)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I'm disappointed that the Force India/Aston Martin deal fell through. I'd love to see Alfa back, with rebadged Ferrari engines and their own chassis. As I said before, maybe a buy-out of STR? Is Mateschitz still looking to sell?

More or less everything in F1 is for sale to the right buyer at the right price, I would imagine!

**bjohnsonsmith** · 18 Feb 2016, 00:19 (Ref:3615592)

Interesting that Alfa Romeo think F1 is preferable to WEC.

wnut · 18 Feb 2016, 00:23 (Ref:3615594)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Interesting that Alfa Romeo think F1 is preferable to WEC.

Perhaps not, when you remember who their boss is!

Mekola · 18 Feb 2016, 06:05 (Ref:3615629)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I'm disappointed that the Force India/Aston Martin deal fell through. I'd love to see Alfa back, with rebadged Ferrari engines and their own chassis. As I said before, maybe a buy-out of STR? Is Mateschitz still looking to sell?

If Giancarlo Minardi is back at his helm at Faenza, go on...

Mekola · 18 Feb 2016, 06:07 (Ref:3615630)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnut

Perhaps not, when you remember who their boss is!

I remember Chiti days, and after Ferrari full F1 commitiment, Alfa Romeo shone in Prototypes with Merzario and Laffite in mid-1970s. In there they had more fortune than in its later F1 adventure 1976-85 (and up to 1988 in extend).

knighty · 18 Feb 2016, 09:35 (Ref:3615677)

it would be nice to see Alfa Romeo back in F1, but I cant help thinking they would only ever be allowed to play second fiddle to Ferrari by the head FIAT group, therefore they would never be allowed to win, hence I'm thinking its probably more appropriate that Sergio Marchionne directs the Alfa Romeo brand into an LMP1-WEC team......they would then get best of both worlds and be rubbing shoulders with main brand competitors Toyota, Audi and Porsche.......it would also be a nice way of avoiding the aggro of taking the Ferrari team into the WEC and creating a big polava with Bernie.......Alfa Romeo-WEC sounds logical to me........but if they do ever go F1, buying Torro-Rosso seems a no-brainer to me.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 18 Feb 2016, 16:02 (Ref:3615754)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnut

Perhaps not, when you remember who their boss is!

There is that.

Richard C · 18 Feb 2016, 16:46 (Ref:3615770)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knighty

it would be nice to see Alfa Romeo back in F1, but I cant help thinking they would only ever be allowed to play second fiddle to Ferrari by the head FIAT group, therefore they would never be allowed to win, hence I'm thinking its probably more appropriate that Sergio Marchionne directs the Alfa Romeo brand into an LMP1-WEC team......they would then get best of both worlds and be rubbing shoulders with main brand competitors Toyota, Audi and Porsche.......it would also be a nice way of avoiding the aggro of taking the Ferrari team into the WEC and creating a big polava with Bernie.......Alfa Romeo-WEC sounds logical to me........but if they do ever go F1, buying Torro-Rosso seems a no-brainer to me.

I was thinking the same exact thing. WEC makes a lot of sense for many reasons.

Richard

**bjohnsonsmith** · 18 Feb 2016, 16:56 (Ref:3615773)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

I was thinking the same exact thing. WEC makes a lot of sense for many reasons.

Richard

F1 though, has a much higher profile with the casual motorsports fan compared to WEC.

Richard C · 18 Feb 2016, 18:34 (Ref:3615787)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

F1 though, has a much higher profile with the casual motorsports fan compared to WEC.

Not to make this into an F1 vs. WEC discussion....

I am a fan of both and while F1 clearly has currently (and in the past) the larger audience, WEC is a quality product right now and arguably much better than F1. To knightly's point above, it is highly likely that regardless of the recent separation between Fiat and Ferrari, Alfa Romeo would not be allowed to challenge Ferrari. While in WEC they could be given a free reign and potentially achieve more with the same budget. I would rather run up near the front in WEC than midfield in F1. That is not a comment on lack of competitiveness of WEC, but rather the artificial difficulty of moving up the ladder in F1 (isn't every thread in this forum about "what is wrong with F1!"

)

But who knows what if anything will happen with this. A key indicator is that in the Autosport article that launched this thread, it is Sergio Marchionne who is saying Alfa Romeo belongs in F1. And my (our) opinion(s) means nothing given his position (Fiat and Ferrari CEO)!

Richard

**Adam43** · 18 Feb 2016, 20:00 (Ref:3615806)

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

F1 though, has a much higher profile with the casual motorsports fan compared to WEC.

I think the WEC is a better fit for Alfa and the cost/benefit for a manufacturer may well make you chose WEC. However the cost is, in this case, much lower for Alfa (FIAT group) as they are already there. The ultimate cost is £30. 5 engines per year x 2 cars x £3 for each Alfa Romeo badge. They probably can get a good deal on badges too.

Obviously there are the actual marketing costs, but I wasn't being completely serious.

**bjohnsonsmith** · 18 Feb 2016, 20:27 (Ref:3615811)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Casto

Not to make this into an F1 vs. WEC discussion....

I am a fan of both and while F1 clearly has currently (and in the past) the larger audience, WEC is a quality product right now and arguably much better than F1. To knightly's point above, it is highly likely that regardless of the recent separation between Fiat and Ferrari, Alfa Romeo would not be allowed to challenge Ferrari. While in WEC they could be given a free reign and potentially achieve more with the same budget. I would rather run up near the front in WEC than midfield in F1. That is not a comment on lack of competitiveness of WEC, but rather the artificial difficulty of moving up the ladder in F1 (isn't every thread in this forum about "what is wrong with F1!"

)

But who knows what if anything will happen with this. A key indicator is that in the Autosport article that launched this thread, it is Sergio Marchionne who is saying Alfa Romeo belongs in F1. And my (our) opinion(s) means nothing given his position (Fiat and Ferrari CEO)!

Richard

Granted but F1 gives Alfa far greater exposure and marketing potential, which I think is what's behind this.

Richard C · 18 Feb 2016, 21:35 (Ref:3615831)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam43

However the cost is, in this case, much lower for Alfa (FIAT group) as they are already there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

Granted but F1 gives Alfa far greater exposure and marketing potential, which I think is what's behind this.

I can't argue against either point. Sadly... it is more likely they would be there to be a motorized billboard vs. being in a position to challenge for a world championship.

You look at someone like Haas. Maybe as long as they don't embarrass themselves, Haas (the sponsor, not the team) has achieved his goal from a PR perspective? Maybe the same for Alfa from Marchionne's position?

Richard

wolfhound · 18 Feb 2016, 22:03 (Ref:3615839)

One of the main differences that I see between F1 and sportscars from a marketing point of view is that F1 is primarily about the drivers where as sportscars is about the car make or manufacturer.
Put it this way in F1 the man in the street is more aware of the drivers names in F1 but Bentley is still known for its LeMans wins in the 1920's.
The exception to all the above is Ferrari.

chillibowl · 19 Feb 2016, 15:35 (Ref:3616034)

to be honest, being allowed to compete against Ferrari is not so much of a concern for me. budget wise they wouldnt even be able to compete against the big teams (so its a moot point anyways imo) and as long as they are not intentionally taking out or blocking Ferrari's competition on track then they would be the same as any new/small team on the grid.

and im also not too bothered if their entry is just a glorified branding exercise. ultimately i would rather see a car marque try to brand itself via F1 than billionaires branding an F1 team for their own egos...which actually doesnt bother me at all either.

veeten · 19 Feb 2016, 15:41 (Ref:3616037)

Better line-up for FCA...

Formula 1 - Ferrari

IndyCar - Alfa Romeo

WEC (Prototype/GT) - Maserati

WRC - FIAT

There, the racing card is filled, and all bases are covered.

P38 in workshop · 19 Feb 2016, 20:56 (Ref:3616119)

Quote:

Originally Posted by veeten

Better line-up for FCA...

Formula 1 - Ferrari

IndyCar - Alfa Romeo

WEC (Prototype/GT) - Maserati

WRC - FIAT

There, the racing card is filled, and all bases are covered.

No they aren't!You missed NASCAR but since you missed Lancia too.......

**Adam43** · 19 Feb 2016, 21:06 (Ref:3616124)

Lancia should be WRC. Dodge (!) NASCAR, Jeep Dakar and FIAT, errr, Gordon Bennett.

BSchneiderFan · 20 Feb 2016, 15:20 (Ref:3616271)

FIAT for the WTCC.

merak1974 · 20 Feb 2016, 19:57 (Ref:3616329)

Quote:

Originally Posted by veeten

Better line-up for FCA...

Formula 1 - Ferrari

IndyCar - Alfa Romeo

WEC (Prototype/GT) - Maserati

WRC - FIAT

There, the racing card is filled, and all bases are covered.

I totally agree with Maserati for WEC/Prototype/GT, plus major GT series. But, they have to get the Alfieri production version out asap.

Razor · 21 Feb 2016, 12:12 (Ref:3616472)

Interesting that if Torro Rosso was sold to become a Ferrari junior team under the Alfa Romeo name, would Red Bull still have some level of sponsorship?

Hawkwood · 21 Feb 2016, 15:34 (Ref:3616495)

Quote:

Originally Posted by merak1974

I totally agree with Maserati for WEC/Prototype/GT, plus major GT series. But, they have to get the Alfieri production version out asap.

The Alfieri is such a gorgeous car!
It'd be the best looking GT car out there!

BSchneiderFan · 21 Feb 2016, 15:46 (Ref:3616497)

Looks a bit like the Aston Martin Vulcan from the front - which is no bad thing.

CTD · 21 Feb 2016, 21:03 (Ref:3616561)

I'm sorry if this is already posted here.
But have it been noticed that the 2016 Ferrari F1 racer has Alfa Romeo logo instead of the Fiat?

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