Sauber – now called Alfa Romeo – could have a surprise in store with the design of its 2019 car. That is the claim of Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport, as the authoritative sports newspaper claims that the new Alfa will have a radical shape as it has been designed with “as little caution as possible”.
It is claimed team boss Frederic Vasseur has also recruited staff heavily over the winter period, thanks in part to the collaboration with Scuderia Ferrari and the signing of 2007 Formula One world champion Kimi Raikkonen. The 2019 Sauber has been designed by former Ferrari designer Simone Resta, and will reportedly feature “interesting innovations” not seen on any other F1 car so far.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also informs that Finn Raikkonen was seen at Sauber’s Hinwil factory several times in January. Asked about Alfa Romeo Racing’s prospects ahead of the 2019 Formula 1 season, the former Scuderia Ferrari driver explained: “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to perform well. The team has all the tools, we have a great wind tunnel and we have everything to build a great car. We also have a Ferrari engine. So we know what we’re getting” – the Finnish driver explained, as reported earlier today by Auto Bild, Europe’s leading automobile magazine.
At the same time, Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur sees Kimi Raikkonen’s key role as helping to push the technical side with the vast experience and insight that has been so appreciated at Ferrari: “He has the reputation to be a very good technician, with very strong feedback,” Vasseur said – “Probably when you are 450 people it’s more important to have this kind of guy than when you are two or three times bigger. We need to have a strong leader on the driver side. He has very strong feedback, and he’s probably one of the best, or the best.” – he concluded.
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