close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Peter Sauber 'hurt' by surname being ousted by Alfa Romeo

Photo: © LAT Images

Peter Sauber 'hurt' by surname being ousted by Alfa Romeo

Sauber founder Peter Sauber has admitted that the exclusion of his surname from Formula 1 "hurts", but did concede that it was what was best for the team, which will now be known as Alfa Romeo Racing in the 2019 F1 season.

The 75-year-old Swiss, no longer involved with the Hinwil based team he founded, was on hand in Barcelona as the new 'Alfa Romeo' made its test debut.

"Of course it hurts that the Sauber name disappears after such a long time," he told CH Media.

"But the name is only gone from formula one. The company is 49 years old and will enter its 50th season in 2019."

Indeed, the name Sauber can still be spotted on the Alfa livery, and Switzerland is featured on the rear wing.

"And there's another side to it," Peter Sauber added. "For the team, changing the name to Alfa Romeo is a good thing. Otherwise, the owners would not have done it.

"And what is good for the team is also good from my perspective. I also did many things that were difficult but in the best interests of the team."

Another tribute to Sauber is that the new Alfa Romeo is called the C38, with the 'C' still a reference to Peter Sauber's wife Christiane.

And Peter Sauber noted: "Between 2006 and 2009 we built the F1 cars for BMW. Now it's Alfa Romeo.

"Sauber is also still registered as the manufacturer with the FIA, and neither the ownership or the management will change that," he added.

MORE: Rivals react to Ferrari pace
MORE: Vettel bemused by 'ugly' front wing

Follow @GPFansGlobal on Instagram for behind-the-scenes access from across the testing fortnight.

Just in

15-3
Mercedes used 'world's favourite IT solution' to fix George Russell's car at Chinese Grand Prix
15-3
McLaren launch investigation over 'faulty' F1 parts in Chinese Grand Prix disaster
15-3
Max Verstappen is the real winner over F1 race cancellations
15-3
Honda issue statement on Aston Martin 'excuse' after double DNF at Chinese Grand Prix
15-3
Max Verstappen hits back at awful F1 starts: 'I'm not an idiot'
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

Max Verstappen is the real winner over F1 race cancellations F1 News & Gossip

Max Verstappen is the real winner over F1 race cancellations

2 hours ago
Max Verstappen hits back at awful F1 starts: 'I'm not an idiot' Chinese Grand Prix

Max Verstappen hits back at awful F1 starts: 'I'm not an idiot'

Yesterday 20:13
F1 Oscars: Lewis Hamilton doesn't have one but Michael Schumacher does F1 Oscars

F1 Oscars: Lewis Hamilton doesn't have one but Michael Schumacher does

Yesterday 17:46
Lewis Hamilton senses first Ferrari F1 win after breakthrough Chinese Grand Prix Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton senses first Ferrari F1 win after breakthrough Chinese Grand Prix

Yesterday 16:56
Ontdek het op Google Play
x