Although a disappointing farewell for Alfa Romeo, the team looks ahead to new adventures, returning to an old face before Audi.
2023 was a frustrating year for the Swiss team. One place way from last in the constructors championship, totalling only 16 points, much of this year seemed about surviving the long wait for Audi.
While much focus was given to lack of performance of AlphaTauri, Alfa Romeo’s drop in form went mostly unnoticed.
2022 saw the team’s strongest year since Alfa Romeo had agreed to partner with Sauber. With an overall finish of sixth and a total of 55 points, it puts into perspective their lack of form in 2023.
“Clearly we’ve hit the end with this car’s development”
Jumped by Aston Martin‘s supreme performance and William’s cunning race ability, the team has already made in clear in it’s return to Sauber, the car will be completely redesigned.
Alfa Romeo driver, Valtteri Bottas, when speaking on the 2022 car design, suggested this design had reach the end of the line.
He said: “I’m glad that it’s over now, and next year, everyone starts from zero again. There’s been many, many changes in the team lately. And I think positive changes.
“The main thing is we need a new car. And it needs to be different. So that’s, I would say the biggest take we take from this year, clearly we’ve hit the end with this car’s development, we just haven’t been able to find any anything big. So the whole concept needs to be different. That’s what we’ve learned.”
While quick in a single lap, Alfa Romeo severely suffered in race pace. Bottas qualified on average 11th on the grid while teammate Zhou Guanyu averaged 16th on the grid.
Although points it was small margins due to minimal achieved, Bottas showed his experience once again proved vital.
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Audi future mounts pressure
Scoring 10 out of the team’s 16 points, the Finn showed himself to be the leading driver. This is crucial due to the possibilities Audi could offer.
Although Aston Martin were the surprise team of 2023, Audi will look to enter 2026 in a fighting position.
Therefore, needing to choose the right drivers to enable this, Bottas continues to put himself in a good position to be future Audi driver.
Despite the team’s want to have a German driver, which Nico Hulkenberg has mentioned after talks about a possible move to the team, the next two years will be significant for Bottas’ future.
Another frustrating year for Zhou Guanyu
Meanwhile, one must consider Guanyu’s F1 future to be in concern. A perfect suit for the Sauber team, his performance is unlikely to be of the quality Audi needs.
Beaten by Ricciardo in the driver’s championship who also scored 6 points, the Chinese driver will look to improve his performance entering 2024.
With a highest finish of ninth, which he achieved three times, Zhou matched his 2022 performance.
Arguably impressive in a worst car, it means that, while Bottas has a total of 59 points over the last two seasons, Guanyu only has 12.
This is 16% of the overall points across the two seasons, making clear of the difference between drivers.
Several drivers enter 2024 needing to show improvement. In a team which will offer little pressure as it prepares for another takeover, Sauber will allow Guanyu to gain more experience and hopefully improve.
A team known for it’s dedications to creating world class talent, one hopes Sauber can help shape the Chinese driver’s future.
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