Alfa Romeo to have free choice of F1 drivers from 2022
Alfa Romeo Formula 1 team boss Fred Vasseur says that the Hinwil outfit will have a free choice of drivers from next season.
Since Sauber’s Alfa Romeo deal began in 2018, one seat in the team has been reserved for a driver nominated by engine partner Ferrari from its pool of young talent.
Charles Leclerc occupied it in 2018, before current incumbent Antonio Giovinazzi took over the following year.
On Tuesday, Sauber announced that it has extended its partnership with Alfa Romeo in a multi-year deal that is believed to run to 2024.
When negotiating the latest contract, Vasseur ensured that he had flexibility on driver choice in the future. Sauber Junior Team member Theo Pouchaire is currently starring in F2 with ART, and is an obvious future candidate for a seat. However, Vasseur has previously indicated that 2022 would be too early for the teenager to step up to F1.
Despite the contractual freedom, Vasseur has made it clear that the team remains open to running drivers from Ferrari’s academy, and thus Giovinazzi, current reserve Callum Ilott, Mick Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman are all potential options.
"For sure the driver topic is a key point,” Vasseur told Autosport. “We will have a free choice of the driver in the future. But for sure the link with Ferrari means that we can easily discuss with them about their own pool of drivers.
"We have Antonio, he is improving, he is doing a good job, and the target for me is to keep this link with Ferrari. But we have a free choice, and let's discuss with them."
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo Racing C41, Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo Racing C41
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
Alfa Romeo's new CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said he will not be involved in choosing drivers for the team.
"Each to their own trade,” he told L’Equipe. "So the answer is no! There is only one person choosing, and that will be Fred Vasseur. I know how to sell cars, he knows how to run a team. He's been doing it for 25 years and does it very well.
"We jointly decided that as a last resort he's the one who will decide who's in the seat. And he will do it at the right moment, as he always has."
Related video
Mercedes' F1 upgrade revealed ahead of British GP
How the F1 drivers reacted to the 2022 car design reveal
“No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull - McLaren boss Stella
“No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull - McLaren boss Stella “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull - McLaren boss Stella
Horner: Red Bull has to “make hay” before rivals catch up
Horner: Red Bull has to “make hay” before rivals catch up Horner: Red Bull has to “make hay” before rivals catch up
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Alfa Romeo's mystery F1 2023 launch floor revealed as a fake
Alfa Romeo's mystery F1 2023 launch floor revealed as a fake Alfa Romeo's mystery F1 2023 launch floor revealed as a fake
F1 reserve drivers: All the back-up drivers for 2023
F1 reserve drivers: All the back-up drivers for 2023 F1 reserve drivers: All the back-up drivers for 2023
How the last Sauber-built Alfa offers F1 2023 evolution clues
How the last Sauber-built Alfa offers F1 2023 evolution clues How the last Sauber-built Alfa offers F1 2023 evolution clues
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid leading Sao Paulo E-Prix "quite dangerous"
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash Dennis critical of "plonker" Ticktum after Sao Paulo E-Prix clash
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds Tech3 won't replace injured Espargaro for next two MotoGP rounds
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull’s biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How "only tough" Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for F1’s 2023 hopes for a real title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.