{"id":36387,"date":"2025-02-03T12:11:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T11:11:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italpassion.fr\/?p=36387"},"modified":"2025-02-04T10:37:38","modified_gmt":"2025-02-04T09:37:38","slug":"alfa-romeos-return-to-motorsport-postponed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.italpassion.fr\/en\/alfa-romeo\/alfa-romeo-le-projet-de-retour-en-sport-automobile-reporte\/","title":{"rendered":"Alfa Romeo: plans for a return to motorsport postponed?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alfa Romeo SE 048SP, photo by Roberto Motta<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For several years now, fans ofAlfa Romeo<\/a> are eagerly awaiting the brand's return to the world of motorsports, following its withdrawal from Formula 1 at the end of the 2023 season.<\/strong> The years spent with Sauber saw the Italian brand shine on the world stage, but the shift towards electrification and the arrival of Audi in the Sauber F1 team signaled the end of this collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So where do things stand with Alfa Romeo's plans to return to motor racing?<\/strong> The dream of a return to the prestigious World Endurance Championship (WEC) seemed to be gradually taking shape. The WEC,<\/strong> with its new technological challenges and the commitment of many prestigious brands such as Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Toyota, Cadillac and more recently Ford, seemed to be the ideal track for the Biscione brand.<\/strong> Indeed, since 2022, Peugeot, another Stellantis Group brand, has taken part in the championship with its Hypercar 9X8, and discussions around a possible synergy within the Stellantis Group have fueled the hopes of alfists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few months ago, the former CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares confirmed that Alfa Romeo's return to motorsport was a priority.<\/strong> \"Alfa Romeo will return to the world of motor racing,\" he said, adding that the ideal moment had yet to be determined. According to him, it was a question of choosing the right competitive cycle to maximize the return on marketing investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a question arises today: Is the WEC project still on the table?<\/strong> In 2024, Alfa Romeo recorded around 62,000 registrations<\/a>This is a far cry from the 80,000 to 90,000 units expected, and well behind the performance of Peugeot, which has achieved over 1.1 million registrations in 2023. This difference in volumes between the two brands, which are both owned by Stellantis, seems to make it difficult to predict the future. difficult to justify replacing Peugeot with Alfa Romeo in the WEC.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What's more, despite Stellantis's ambitions, Alfa Romeo's WEC project now seems to be hanging on strategic considerations. Santo Ficili, Alfa Romeo's new CEO, recently raised the possibility of a return to competition for the brand.<\/strong> at the Brussels Motor Show. \"Alfa has a heritage in sport,\" he said, insisting that, despite the strong presence of other Stellantis Group brands in competitions, \"There's room for Alfa Romeo\".<\/strong> A hopeful statement, but still lacking in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WEC is familiar territory for the brand, thanks to its glorious past, <\/strong>may still be an option. But given the financial challenges and the need to concentrate on more profitable models for the brand, the planets don't seem to be aligning. A return to endurance racing, although envisaged, could be postponed until a more favourable period, when the economic situation and sales volumes would justify investment in this demanding discipline. As a reminder Jean-Philippe Imparato said a year ago that it would be possible for Alfa Romeo to take part in the 2026 season,<\/strong> with at least three to five years<\/strong>if given the green light. To be continued!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A publication shared by Car Historian (@carhistorian)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n