Alfa Romeo confirm F1 return

For the first time in over three decades, the Alfa Romeo brand will return to Formula 1, after the Italian car manufacturer announced on Wednesday a deal with Sauber for 2018 to become their main title sponsor and technological partner for the 2018 season.

The iconic car maker's last involvement in the sport was in 1985, but this agreement with Swiss-based Sauber will see them make a return in what has been referred to as a 'strategic, commercial and technological cooperation between Alfa Romeo and the Sauber F1 Team'.

President of the Fiat-Chrysler empire, Sergio Marchionne, had petitioned to see a return to the sport for the brand, an in an statement he referred to Alfa Romeo's storied history in F1 shaping the desire to become involved once again.

In a statement, he said: "This agreement with the Sauber F1 Team is a significant step in the reshaping of the Alfa Romeo brand, which will return to Formula 1 after an absence of more than 30 years.

"A storied marque that has helped make the history of this sport, Alfa Romeo will join other major automakers that participate in Formula 1. The brand itself will also benefit from the sharing of technology and strategic know-how with a partner of the Sauber F1 Team's undisputed experience.

"The Alfa Romeo engineers and technicians, who have already demonstrated their capabilities with the newly-launched models, Giulia and Stelvio, will have the opportunity to make that experience available to the Sauber F1 Team. At the same time, Alfa Romeo fans will once again have the opportunity to support an automaker that is determined to begin writing an exciting new chapter in its unique, legendary sporting history."

The Alfa Romeo logo has been associated with Ferrari's cars since 2015. The competed as a constructor in the first two world championships, winning them both, in 1950 and 1951.