The full name of the Sauber Group’s Formula 1 team is Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen. However, on Thursday, the logo of the Polish title sponsor disappeared from the official website of the penultimate team of the previous season. After some time, the fuel company appeared again in the “partners” tab as a “titular sponsor”. However, both sides have not signed a new contract for the 2023 season and it is still unknown how the future of Orlen and Robert Kubica in the most popular motor sport is clear.
What will the future of Orlen look like in Formula 1? Hard negotiations
After the Orlen logo disappeared from the Sauber Group’s official website, journalists decided to ask the source what the changes meant. – Please do not draw too far-reaching conclusions regarding the disappearance of Orlen’s logotypes, because the pages dedicated to our partners are simply updated – replied Sauber’s communication manager Elena Rovelli. In turn, in Orlen they briefly replied that “talks are ongoing”.
This means that there is still no new agreement between the parties, and negotiations are ongoing. It is worth recalling that there have been changes in director positions at Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen. Frederic Vasseur, who has left for Ferrari, has been the general manager and team principal until now. He was replaced by Andreas Seid, who has not yet chosen a new team principal. This change may be the reason for difficult negotiations, but there are also other reasons.
The 2023 season will be the last in which Sauber will start under the Alfa Romeo name. The Swiss company has joined forces with Audi, which will officially join Formula 1 from 2026. Funding from the German automotive giant puts Sauber in a good position in negotiations with Orlen. The Polish concern wanted to continue to display their logos on cars, players’ overalls and everything related to the team’s activities. He would also probably like to keep Robert Kubica as the team’s reserve driver.
Unofficially, it is said that Orlen’s sponsorship contract with Sauber is worth USD 10-12 million. Recently, there have been rumors in the media about the new title sponsor of Alfa Romeo, which would be Gulf. The oil tycoon has worked with McLaren in the past and would like to return to Formula 1.
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The first Formula 1 Grand Prix of the 2023 season will be held in Bahrain on March 5. From 23 to 25 February, however, the car tests in Barcelona will last and until then the future of Orlen in the Swiss team should be clear.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
