The Haas F1 team (America's only at present) and the Alfa Romeo F1 team might be joining forces for the 2024 Formula 1 season. According to RacingNews365, multiple sources close to the matter did not deny the rumors, which started with a scheduled meeting between the two entities.
The talks were supposed to start at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which was canceled due to severe flooding in the region. A meeting was apparently rescheduled for the Monaco Grand Prix this past weekend. The deal would see Alfa Romeo join Haas in a two-year deal leading up to 2026, when the new engine regulations kick in.
This comes as a surprise, as Alfa Romeo was set to leave Formula 1 at the end of the 2023 season. Technically, Alfa Romeo never had an F1 team to begin with because it simply paid Sauber a fee to use its F1 team as an advertising board. The car, top management, and crew were all supplied by Sauber, and Alfa simply slapped its livery on top.
Alfa appears to be looking to strike a similar deal with Haas, potentially paying $20 million annually. While that's a sizeable sum, it's only roughly 15% of the $135 million cost cap. That's why we think Alfa Romeo is only interested in a licensing deal, not something more substantial like the Red Bull and Ford powertrain partnership.
There is a problem, however. Thanks to Drive to Survive and increasing viewership figures, Haas is worth much more than a few years ago. If this deal were to go through, we don't think Haas would give up its name. A double-barrel name like Alfa Romeo Haas is more likely.
As for everything else, there wouldn't be much of a difference. Both teams use components and power units supplied by Ferrari, and Haas' current title sponsor (Moneygram) could easily be incorporated into an Italian tricolore livery.
If true, why the sudden reinvigorated interest in Formula 1? It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Alfa Romeo wants to remain a part of the pinnacle of motorsport for the same reason everyone else is. Audi will use it to sell electric vehicles from 2026, while Alfa might use these last two years to promote the Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale, not to mention potential future sports cars and its rumored supercar.
Meanwhile, Sauber is set to return to the grid as itself next year. It raced under its own name from 2010-2018, also using Ferrari parts. Since Audi already owns a minority stake in Sauber, don't be surprised to see Audi make its first debut on the grid in 2024, even if it's just an Audi Motorsport sticker incorporated into the livery.