Alfa Romeo has revealed Sauber’s new car for the 2018 F1 season.
The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles brand has joined the team as a technical and commercial partner for this year. The Sauber C37 will use a current-specification power unit from Alfa Romeo’s sister brand Ferrari.
“The car philosophy is much different to that of the C36,” said technical director Joerg Zander. “The aerodynamic concept has changed significantly, and the C37 has several new features in comparison to its predecessor.”
“We are positive that the new concept offers us more opportunities and will help us to make improvements during the course of the season. The 2018 Ferrari engine will also give us a boost in terms of our performance. We hope that we will make progress with the C37 and that we are more competitive compared to 2017.”
Sauber announced a series of new sponsors in the run-up to the launch including Richard Mille, Carrera, Kappa and Claro.
The team’s drivers for 2018 are newcomer Charles Leclerc and last year’s driver Marcus Ericsson.
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2018 F1 season
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- Ricciardo: Baku “s***show” was Red Bull’s fault
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- F1’s television and social media audiences rose last year
ECWDanSelby (@ecwdanselby)
20th February 2018, 11:06
Very unimaginative livery. Long gone are the days are cool liveries!
SoLiDG (@solidg)
20th February 2018, 11:39
Yes exactly one day!
After the red bull’s very very cool livery this is really bad.
How they couldn’t get this better is above me.
Michael (@freelittlebirds)
20th February 2018, 12:43
@solidg Red Bull’s livery is not the real livery – it was a camo livery to disguise the car. It’s interesting that you liked it as I nearly fainted when I saw it and was wondering how Red Bull could make a livery where the tyres were the real stars of the design:-)
After recovering from the shock (Christian was hospitalized after seeing the car for the 1st time) and being informed that Red Bull was just messing with us, I was able to see the rear wing which is easily the best wing of all time in F1 with the Aston Martin logo. The car also sports a mid-wing like a plane under the mirrors.
lee1
20th February 2018, 16:05
i really like the red bull test livery.
Retired (@jeff1s)
20th February 2018, 19:21
It reminds me of the “You” unsponsored HRT of years ago.
PT (@pt)
21st February 2018, 14:33
@ecwdanselby
It may be unimaginative, but you can’t say it isn’t evocative. Check out those high resolution images, particularly of the rear of the car. Doesn’t the distinctive Alfa Romeo font at the back of the scarlet rear wing combined with those mighty slick tyres remind you of the Alfa Romeo-powered Brabhams of the late 1970s? And kudos to Sauber and Keith for giving us such detailed images – I mean you get to see almost all the aerodynamic elements. It’s full of details – the aero appendage on the halo, the front sidepod elements, the duct on the engine cover fin, the unique airbox vents. I didn’t enjoy the pictures of the other F1 cars launched till now as much watching this Alfa Romeo Sauber. There are so many pictures here showing the car in various angles – the rear and the rear three-quarters view images would easily make for giant posters for the walls of my room. This is what F1 passion is all about, and the livery does evoke memories of the Alfa Romeos of the late 70s and early 80s. I just hope it stuns on the track too and more teams get to see that evocative rear though I don’t want McLaren to be among those teams!
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
20th February 2018, 11:06
They’re half an hour early. Also, that is a very, very disappointing livery. Good to see an influx of (Italian) sponsors though. Hope with the funding they can be competitive. That livery though…
Graham Dwyer
20th February 2018, 11:30
Richard Mille – Swiss
Carrea – Austrian based in Italy
Claro – Brazilian.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mariano (@mariano)
20th February 2018, 15:52
Claro it’s a mexican company owned by Carlos Slim although the trademark Claro itself was first introduced in the Brazliain market back in 2003.
Ashwin (@redbullf1)
20th February 2018, 21:25
Wow 2 years in Mexico and I thought Claro was Mexican, yes the founder is, but seems the HQ is in Brazil, weird.
Egonovi
20th February 2018, 14:07
Makes you wonder why stick with Ericsson.
Miane
20th February 2018, 15:10
Claro is mexican, from Carlos Slim group.
Arnold Triyudho Wardono (@ernietheracefan)
20th February 2018, 11:07
At least it’s more white..
Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
20th February 2018, 14:04
I guess that their attempt to get into the midfield is mainly to trick people that from the front profile, its a Williams
Miltiadis (@miltosgreekfan)
20th February 2018, 11:07
Sauber’s Halo need a colour change IMO.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
20th February 2018, 11:10
Compared to last season this will be a less colourful, more monochromatic field. Which is a real shame.
Egonovi
20th February 2018, 14:11
Not sure how Red and White is any more ‘monochromatic’ than Blue and White.
It can’t be golden 25 years logo of last year ;)
ECWDanSelby (@ecwdanselby)
20th February 2018, 11:10
Am I the only one that thinks we need the halo to massively stand out, livery wise? Rather than disguising it, which looks incredibly awkward, i’d rather do something opposite.
I proposed an idea to maybe use the driver’s helmet livery on the halo instead.
GeeMac (@geemac)
20th February 2018, 11:19
And we all thought that it wouldn’t look like the car they wheeled out when they launched the Alfa deal…
GeeMac (@geemac)
20th February 2018, 13:28
At a closer look the car looks really good. The detail around the sidepods and roll hop are incredible, as is the detail round the mounting of the top front wishbone. They seem to be missing the rear brake wing stacks in those images, so maybe they have a few more tricks up their sleeves…
Sauber really should be commended for this. With a driver of Leclerc’s calibre they may be able to pull off a few surprises….
Mashiat (@mashiat)
20th February 2018, 11:21
Looks like the 2008 Force India car, but with a bit more white around the front of the car.
NewVerstappenFan (@jureo)
20th February 2018, 11:22
What a good looking beast. Deciding for the best looking car this year will be hard.
Miguel Bento (@miguelbento)
20th February 2018, 11:41
You are joking, right?
John H (@john-h)
20th February 2018, 13:24
Oh my. This is an ugly monster!
Joao (@johnmilk)
20th February 2018, 11:23
Wow that is a completely new car compared to last year
I like the paint job if I’m honest
But they came out with the pictures a little bit too soon, didn’t they?
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
20th February 2018, 13:45
I like the livery too. I’m pleased to see the new owners have managed to secure better financial support, and hopefully this produces good results this year.
Nitzo (@webtel)
20th February 2018, 14:02
Agreed. It looks simple and elegant, which is actually offbeat from most of the others and unique in its own way.
vjanik (@vjanik)
20th February 2018, 11:25
I think Leclerc will beat Stroll and Sirotkin in 2018, even though the Williams will most likely be the faster car.
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
20th February 2018, 13:59
I can see the starting grid at Melbourne is going to be very interesting.
Egonovi
20th February 2018, 14:13
And you say that based on this article ;)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
20th February 2018, 11:25
Predictable livery – Alfa Romeo on the engine cover because of the link to Ferrari but need to leave room for sponsors elsewhere hence the vast expanses of white.
At first glance there’s a lot of aero detail – notably around the airbox and Halo fairing. Looking forward to getting a proper look at the high-quality pictures when they arrive. The launch is in five minutes…
JimG (@jimg)
20th February 2018, 11:28
@keithcollantine
At least they’re optimistic then! ;-)
Joao (@johnmilk)
20th February 2018, 11:36
@keithcollantine where can we see the launch?
cdavman (@cdavman)
20th February 2018, 12:05
That slot is going to make quite the tyre marble catcher.
I’m guessing more teams will reveal what they’re doing with the halo in terms of aero once testing starts.
Gary
20th February 2018, 13:43
Keith,
What is the link to Ferrari that you are referring? Alfa is owned by FCA, Ferrari is independent. There is no link between the two as the shareholder bases are independent. If Marchionne treats it otherwise then he is violating his fiduciary duties as would the respective Boards of Directors.
Robbie (@robbie)
20th February 2018, 14:56
While technically correct, isn’t it fair to say Alfa Romeo and Ferrari have a rich history together. And here they sit, Sauber with the current Ferrari pu in back, with Alfa Romeo emblazoned on the side. Marchionne is the CEO of FCA. I would suggest there is a strong link…just not from a stock market standpoint. I doubt Marchionne will treat it as otherwise. To suggest there is no link is to take things to a legal technical point that isn’t really relevant unless there is somehow some violation, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. There seems, judging by the reality for Sauber this year, that everyone has agreed that Sauber would have a Ferrari pu, badged as Alfa Romeo, ala a Renault being called a Tag Heuer, no?
Gary
20th February 2018, 15:46
Look, Marchionne is CEO of both Ferrari and FCA, which is a problem on its face given that these companies have no cross shareholdings. It is quite clear what are the benefits to Ferrari of FCA supporting Sauber as a Ferrari junior team. It is not at all clear what are the benefits to FCA. Sell more Jeeps? Dodge Rams? Sell more Fiats? I don’t think so. Oh, but it’s Alfa Romeo? Alfa Romeo is not profitable, and it’s not Alfa Romeo funds that are going to Sauber – Alfa has has negative free cash flow – it’s FCA funds. This sponsorship is using FCA funds to benefit Ferrari.
lee1
20th February 2018, 16:11
They are also both part owned by Exor.
Robbie (@robbie)
20th February 2018, 16:22
I won’t profess to know the implications of this. You are more knowledged on the topic and seem suspicious. I can only take this far enough to claim that the fact that Ferrari has a current pu in the 2018 Sauber, with Alfa Romeo badging, likely means i’s have been dotted and t’s have been crossed and there is nothing nefarious going on that shareholders need be concerned about. Won’t FCA shareholders be excited to see Alfa Romeo on an F1 car? Won’t they all have a sentimental attachment to Ferrari, who is powering the car, as well? Could this be a move to bolster (negative) Alfa Romeo by badging the Sauber as such? You (seemingly sarcastically) cite “sell more Jeeps? Dodge Rams? Fiats? I don’t think so” yet don’t mention ‘sell more Alfa Romeos.’ If FCA and Ferrari are independent, what is the harm to FCA sponsoring an F1 team, especially one for whom they are well familiar with their engine supplier? It may not be clear to you the benefits to FCA, but I would suggest FCA sees the benefits and perhaps take reassurance from CEO Marchionne overseeing it.
Gary
20th February 2018, 16:42
Lee1,
Yes, but that is irrelevant. Joe Blow might also own shares of both FCA and Ferrari, but again it’s not relevant. The two companies are independent public companies with no cross shareholdings and the fiduciary duty of the board and management is to run the company for the benefit of all shareholders, not for the benefit of Exor or Joe Blow.
Marchionne has been brilliant for FCA shareholders so nobody is likely to complain, but it is not right to use FCA funds for the benefit of Ferrari.
Robbie (@robbie)
20th February 2018, 21:17
This is where I’m confused. You’re saying it’s not right to use FCA funds for the benefit of Ferrari, and I can’t see where Marchionne is doing anything behind anybody’s back. Isn’t FCA a willing participant in the partial sponsorship of Sauber via the Alfa Romeo brand? What’s ‘not right’ if nobody is doing anything wrong and everyone is on board, eyes wide open, willing to provide some funding in return for global marketing impact?
Manox (@marussi)
20th February 2018, 11:26
hopefully, Marcus can atleast score some points in it
just.daz (@nemo87)
20th February 2018, 11:37
Force India style nostrils.. although slightly smaller
Joao (@johnmilk)
20th February 2018, 11:50
two air intakes on the sidepods as well, don’t remember seeing nothing like that in recent F1 cars and a quite remarkable carbon fibre work on the air intakes of the roll hoop
A lot of details on that sauber, I’m impressed
Surprised that they have shown the steering wheel so clearly, I always assumed there is info in their that they would like to hide. Maybe is last year’s?
Hugh (@hugh11)
20th February 2018, 11:38
Should’ve gone for this sort of thing: https://twitter.com/seanbulldesign/status/965857932624695296
Shimks (@shimks)
20th February 2018, 11:43
Exactly what I was hoping for! Another huge disappointment.
GeeMac (@geemac)
20th February 2018, 11:51
They probably aren’t paying enough to justify that much real estate on the car…
Philip (@philipgb)
20th February 2018, 11:42
No
Jere (@jerejj)
20th February 2018, 11:47
I wish they’d kept the livery color scheme of the last three seasons, but this one looks cool as well.
Christopher Rehn (@chrischrill)
20th February 2018, 13:36
But they changed livery between 2016 and 2017. In 2016, they were blue-yellow along the style of Banco do Brasil (Felipe Nasr’s sponsor) but since they left for 2017 they chose a dark blue/gold livery.
MG1982 (@mg1982)
20th February 2018, 11:49
Hmmm, nothing special about the livery. I guess it’s not more red on the car not to interfere with Ferrari paint scheme. Also, maybe with a simple and quite empty paint scheme they wanted to underline and promote the Alfa Romeo as a brand. Interesting air box tho. Wonder if it’ll become the norm in the following years.
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
20th February 2018, 11:49
Now the disappointment of the livery is done, and there are more pictures, I am loving the sidepods – two inlets per side? Split by a winglet of sorts? Ingenious, interesting.
Joao (@johnmilk)
20th February 2018, 11:55
the best thing so far around those sidepods, is that you can see some gaps in the mounts of the winglets and the halo, that is typical Alfa Romeo building quality. Love those guys
hahostolze (@hahostolze)
20th February 2018, 12:33
Hahahaha, excellent
theRealMax (@millionus)
20th February 2018, 11:54
Love the low down front on picture.
hugomac (@hugomac)
20th February 2018, 11:58
Alfa Romeo’s racing colour has always been white not red, they were only red when they represented Italy which is the national racing colour.
Asanator (@asanator)
20th February 2018, 13:33
Italys national racing colour is Blue not red!
Christopher Rehn (@chrischrill)
20th February 2018, 13:37
Of course not. Rosso Corsa, red, with white numbers. That is Italy. The French are blue, so are some American cars and Sweden.
matt90
20th February 2018, 19:54
When have they used white?
BlackJack (@danieljaksa)
20th February 2018, 12:06
It’s really great to see an original marque back on the grid. That’s two. Maserati next? That’d be good. The new Saubers look better than last year’s cars. But then they do have the best car logo goin’ around. Let’s hope they are more competitive. I’m really looking forward to the season opener. Come on Melbourne!
GeeMac (@geemac)
20th February 2018, 13:31
Their logo was back last year…
https://clone.racefans.net/2017/02/24/pictures-ferraris-new-f1-car-for-2017-revealed/screenshot-2017-02-24-09-42-45/
Pinak Ghosh (@pinakghosh)
20th February 2018, 12:06
It is absolutely brilliant to see the Alfa Romeo brand prominently back in F1. Could the livery have been better? Yes it could. But then again, the team had already given a glimpse of the expected livery earlier. There are small changes throughout the car, as per expectations given the financial position of the team. There are a few sponsors too. A current engine would ensure that the power is available throughout the year. They also have a fast rookie driver this time. All the indications are that the team is poised to improve in 2018. Let’s hope that is the case.
LifeF1
20th February 2018, 12:06
Terrible livery, which is a shame as the shade of red is beautiful.
I like that they went different direction in the sidepods, let’s see how it will perform on the track
AliceD (@aliced)
20th February 2018, 12:11
Wow, amazing pictures. Better than the half-baked efforts shown by other teams. This is how you do a proper reveal, not some pics rendered on a potato.
Todfod (@todfod)
20th February 2018, 12:11
Suprised everyone here is fixed just on the livery. I think Sauber has got a seriously different approach to it’s side pods, sidewinglets, airbox and even their halo has a little slit on it.