Whilst much of the focus was on Max Verstappen sealing his third world title over the Qatar Grand Prix weekend just gone, another headline-grabbing story saw claims made that Audi might be considering a shock pull-out from their Formula 1 entry for 2026 onwards.

The giant German marque has begun the process of taking over the Sauber team, currently badged up as Alfa Romeo until the end of 2023, and is scheduled to complete its takeover ready for the 2026 F1 season, which will see Audi run a works team with its own power unit.

Indeed, the news was confirmed at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2022 to much fanfare.

Bringing in a name like Audi is something that F1 wants to see more of in the future, with the sport enjoying huge growth in popularity. Companies like Ford are also set to be in the mix from 2026 as they link up with Red Bull, whilst Honda is partnering up exclusively with Aston Martin.

These big automotive hitters like the look of where F1 is heading with certain aspects of its 2026 regulations, including sustainable fuels, and Audi is set to join the power unit production ranks alongside the aforementioned Honda and Ford (who are complementing Red Bull Powertrains) as well as the already established Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault.

The Audi project is one that F1 and many of the teams are going to cite as an example to follow for further potential teams wanting to join the grid – take note Andretti – and so any chance of the German giants suddenly pulling the plug would come as a blow.

Indeed, over the weekend, Radio Le Mans reported that the project is being reviewed and would be put to a vote by the board, with a decision on whether to continue with its F1 plans to be made at the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Radio Le Mans stopped short of saying Audi is definitely going to pull out of F1 before the project has really got going, but the suggestion that they could even decide to make a U-turn has naturally generated a fair few headlines off of the back of it.

“We have said [Audi’s F1 project] is being reviewed with no decision due until after the end of the F1 season,” said Radio Le Mans on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Naturally, Audi have totally denied that it’s wavering over its plans to join the grid: “Audi‘s F1 entry in 2026 is based on a decision of the Board of AUDI AG in alignment with the Supervisory Board of AUDI AG as well as the Board and the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen Group,” a statement read.

“The schedule of Audi Formula Racing GmbH for the build-up of the organisation and the development of the 2026 F1 Power Unit at the site in Neuburg/Germany remains unchanged.”

The line from Audi is that the manufacturer is still full steam ahead with planning for 2026, with preparations made to bring an end to other customer racing operations in other championships to help focus on its expanding F1 work.

Indeed, at the weekend, Audi held a Family Festival at their Neuberg facility to bring an update on the F1 side, with board member and chief technical officer Oliver Hoffmann and CEO of Audi Formula Racing Adam Baker also in attendance.

Nevertheless, the rumours have caused a stir inside the paddock and outside of it, with rumblings – though minor at this stage – concerning the story at the Lusail International Circuit over the weekend in Qatar.

Whilst it seems quite unlikely that Audi would now decide to pull out of F1, especially with the investment that it has already put into the programme, it has been described as still something that ‘could’ potentially materialise by some.

The general feeling in the paddock is that it would be a massive surprise, with one Sauber spokesperson describing the rumours over Audi getting cold feet simply as “crap”. Going on to ask why Audi would invest so much already if it was already having doubts about the project.

Of course, those connected to Audi and Sauber are hardly going to sit there and say ‘We’re going to pull out, that’s that,’ and so the lines given are to be expected.

Radio Le Mans maintains that a review of the project will be held at the end of the season, though, and so whilst that stays on the table, there remains even a slight possibility that a dramatic reversal could be pulled out of the blue by Audi.

As for Alfa Romeo and Sauber in the near future, meanwhile, the former is currently on course to leave the sport, whilst the latter could go back to its eponymous name for 2024 – though conversations are ongoing as to just what the team will be called and a full decision is yet to be made.

With the Alfa Romeo name, there have been rumours over whether the Italian brand could end up badging up the Haas cars for 2024, as they have done at Sauber, with the team also sharing close Italian ties with Ferrari.

On that front, though, there has been speculation but nothing more concrete than that.

Valtteri Bottas has suggested that Alfa Romeo’s race pace could put it in a position to battle Mercedes at the opening race of the 2023 Formula 1 season in Bahrain.

After rising up to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship last term, Alfa Romeo is hoping to make further progress this season with its new C43 car.

The Hinwil-based side enjoyed a productive pre-season test, with the team completing 402 laps in total and Bottas setting the third-fastest lap time on the final day.

Ahead of the season getting underway this weekend, Bottas has suggested that testing signified Alfa Romeo will be in amongst a competitive midfield order again this season.

“Not as fast as Red Bull, not as fast as Ferrari and also Aston Martin looked faster in race pace,“ the Finn admitted when asked about the speed of Alfa Romeo’s 2023 challenger.

“But other than that, it’s really close. Like you said, the time of the day makes a big difference, engine modes can make a difference up to one second per lap but taking that into account we should be in the mix.”

Pressed further on whether his exclusion of Mercedes meant Alfa Romeo can hope to fight the German outfit, Bottas believes there is a possibility he could be contending with his former team.

“From the long runs, it seemed we could. There were some runs in which they were faster than us, but then there were times in which they were slower than us,” he explained.

“It really depends [on] if they managed to fix any issues that they potentially had, but from our numbers they didn’t look like they were going to be fighting for the win. But you never know.”

Following five seasons with Mercedes, Bottas embarked on a new chapter in his career with Alfa Romeo last season.

The ex-Williams driver began the campaign strongly, scoring 46 points across the opening nine rounds of the campaign.

However, a stagnant development programme witnessed the Italian marque slip down the order, with Bottas only accumulating a further four points beyond that.

Bottas has now attributed Alfa Romeo’s decline in competitiveness midway through last year to being restricted on set-up choices, but the 10-time F1 race winner is confident that the team has addressed those issues with its latest car.

“Already last year I felt I was very much on top and fully comfortable with the car and the team,” he said.

“Last year, we’re actually quite limited with the set-up options, because of the balance behaviour of the car, being quite oversteery in high-speed and then understeering in the low speed, so we tried to adapt with the set-up but were a bit boxed, sometimes.

“This year we seem to have a bit more tools to play with, due to the nature of the car, we’ve got it more together in terms of the low-speed to high-speed balance, but this year I could skip the whole learning process of the team, so can just focus on the work at hand and it’s way more pleasant than last year.”

Kimi Raikkonen says it was a straightforward decision to remain in Formula 1 for 2021 in the wake of confirmation that he will stay with Alfa Romeo.

Raikkonen, who earlier this month became Formula 1’s most experienced driver, linked up with Alfa Romeo on a two-year deal in 2019.

It came 18 years after his previous spell with the team – under its guise as Sauber – as a rookie and following stints at McLaren, Ferrari and Lotus.

Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola Alfa Romeo confirmed an unchanged line-up of Raikkonen and Giovinazzi for 2021.

“We signed it yesterday, basically,” said Raikkonen on the deal. “You keep asking always about the future but if we haven’t signed anything, I wouldn’t start lying either way!

“I don’t think there was any difficulty, there are just many aspects from the team side and what I want to do.  

“Obviously, there are other things in our lives you need to look into but, in the end, it made sense for my side and, obviously, for their side.

“Once we started to, let’s say, talk about it, it wasn’t such a long process, it was quite straightforward in the end.”

Raikkonen has scored only two points this year, his worst return in Formula 1, while Alfa Romeo is a low-key eighth in the Constructors’ Championship

“As a team, none of us is happy with where we are, but this is the situation right now and the aim is to improve, be a lot better, but there are no guarantees or anything,” he said.

“We just have to do a better job overall and hopefully next year we’ll be a bit happier with things.”

Alfa Romeo’s branding of Sauber Motorsport is set to continue in Formula 1, according to Frederic Vasseur, with a new Ferrari deal imminent.

Sauber has competed in Formula 1 since 1993 – taking its greatest success during its ownership by BMW in the late 2000s – and for the majority of its existence has been powered by Ferrari.

Vasseur joined the squad mid-2017 and immediately annulled the team’s potential Honda tie-up to realign with Ferrari.

Sauber took on Alfa Romeo title sponsorship for 2018 and last season adopted the brand’s name for its Formula 1 team.

“We are discussing with Ferrari to extend the collaboration,” said Vasseur.

“We are quite close to signing the deal and with Alfa Romeo the same.”

Vasseur also suggested that a closer relationship with Ferrari in the future, under revised Formula 1 regulations, would be of benefit to the Switzerland-based team.

“The relationship with Ferrari is like it is and they are supplying parts, engine, gearbox and some other parts,” he said.

“The collaboration on this one is a good one but we are not sharing the same wind tunnel, for example, as some other teams are doing.

“For sure I think it will probably be an advantage in the future and to have a larger collaboration.”

Antonio Giovinazzi has asserted that his Formula 1 seat with Alfa Romeo for the 2021 season will be secure if he can continue on his current trajectory.

Giovinazzi joined Alfa Romeo full-time last year in the seat over which Ferrari has an influence, scoring points at four events, peaking with fifth in Brazil.

He classified ninth at Formula 1’s 2020 opener in Austria but has yet to capture another top 10 finish amid Alfa Romeo’s ongoing struggles.

Ferrari has three junior drivers competing at the sharp end of the Formula 2 grid, with Robert Shwartzman leading Callum Ilott in the standings, while Mick Schumacher holds fourth.

Alfa Romeo is one of only three Formula 1 teams – along with AlphaTauri and Haas – yet to confirm either of its drivers for the 2021 campaign.

It is understood that current outcast Nico Hulkenberg is in contention to make a full-time return while Alfa Romeo is also waiting on the outcome of the Sergio Perez/Racing Point situation.

“I think first of all I came to Formula 1 as a I don’t have any big names behind me or any big sponsor behind me,” Giovinazzi said ahead of this weekend’s round at Monza, the first of three home events for the 26-year-old.

“I’m here just because of results and talent. I know that Formula 1 is critical, you need to be always on a good shape every race weekend.

“I know also that many times one week you can be a bad driver and then the next week just after a few days you can be a hero.

“From my side I know that if I continue like I’m doing, to be fast and to try to score the points for the team nobody can take my seat for next year.

“We [will] see what happens but I’m quite sure from what I need to do: be fast and be consistent.”

Alfa Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi says emulating his 2019 performance at Formula 1’s Italian Grand Prix will be his ambition for this weekend’s event.

Monza marks the first of three outings in Italy for Formula 1 this season, with Mugello following next weekend, and Imola returning to the calendar in November.

Giovinazzi is Formula 1’s sole Italian driver on the grid and on home soil last year classified in ninth position.

He has scored points only once this year – taking ninth in Austria – amid Alfa Romeo’s struggles but has targeted a repeat of his 2019 display.

“My home race always means something special to me – especially this year,” said Giovinazzi.

“Italy has suffered a lot in 2020 and I’m determined to do my best to give my people a smile.

“Without fans in the grandstands, it won’t be the same but I know there are so many supporters watching from home and I’ll race for them all.

“Last year I drove one of my best races here, finishing in the points, and it would be great to have a similar result.

“We saw last weekend that we seem to have made a step forward as a team, so hopefully we can fight in the midfield this weekend as well.”

Giovinazzi crashed out of the race at Spa-Francorchamps but team-mate Kimi Raikkonen finished 12^th, finishing ‘first’ of the backmarker group, and in front of both Ferrari drivers.

“The target doesn’t really change: we need to make it to Q2 to get the best grid position possible and then try to make the most out of the race,” said Raikkonen.

“We have seen in recent events that small swings in performance can mean a big change in positions, especially in the midfield, so we need to keep doing our job as best as we can.”

Alfa Romeo boss Frederic Vasseur says the team is lacking performance in “different areas” as it tries to make progress with its C39.

Alfa Romeo has had the slowest one-lap package at five of this year’s seven grands prix and has scored points only once.

Those two points came at the attrition-filled opening round of the campaign in Austria, when Antonio Giovinazzi classified ninth, albeit ahead of only two other finishers.

“I’m not sure that we have a big problem with the car,” said Vasseur.

“If you have a look, I’m sure we have a lack of performance compared to last year but it’s never coming from one single thing, it’s coming from different areas and step by step we are improving, we are trying to sort it out and we are doing good steps.

“If you have a look, in Barcelona we were P13, we are one position in front compared to the year before in Barcelona.

“We have to stop fantasising about things like this. The most important is to stay focused and to try to catch up tenth after tenth in every single area with the performance and I think the team is dedicated too.”

Alfa Romeo has fielded Kimi Raikkonen and Giovinazzi since 2019 but the Finn has yet to decide whether he wishes to continue into 2021.

Vasseur suggested motivation would be a key aspect for the 2007 World Champion – but quickly emphasised that it is a similar trait for the remainder of the team.

“I think the most important thing is the motivation, the motivation on the driver’s side first, because I think it’s difficult for Kimi to struggle with the pace when we are at the back,” he said.

“[But] the main motivation in a racing team is coming from the results and nothing else, from the drivers to the mechanics, to the engineers, to myself and we need to get results.”

Alfa Romeo Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur says he doubts that the impending change of Formula 1 regulations will have a short-term impact on the current competitive order.

Last season F1 unveiled a new package of regulations but their planned introduction has been delayed by 12 months until 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new rules include a dramatic shift in the design of the cars in order to facilitate closer racing as well as other major technical changes.

Financial regulations will also come into affect for the first time to try and bring closer competition, but those rules remain in place for 2021, meaning teams will operate under a $145m budget cap from next season.

But Vasseur, whose Alfa Romeo team holds eighth in the standings, reckons big changes will not be immediately forthcoming.

Speaking on the official F1 podcast ‘Beyond The Grid’, Vasseur said: “I don’t think the new regulations will allow small teams to match the big ones on the short term view because we are just speaking about regulations.

“We are speaking about technology, we are speaking about infrastructure, about manpower, about ambition.

“It’s always a mid-term project when you want to work with someone, it’s a three project at least to transfer the technology on the track.

“We need to keep it in mind to agree on the fact that they are a step forward in terms of technology and we won’t compensate this gap in six months because we have a new concorde agreement on the table.”

Vasseur also stressed the importance of maintaining the upcoming regulations for a sustained period.

“But the most important for me is the stability of the regulations,” added the Frenchman.

“I mean that if we are closing the gap in terms of budget – I hope so. And if we stability in terms of the regulations then we probably will be closer and closer, and in three or four years we will close the gap.

“But we don’t have to expect that would be the case in 2022, that would be a joke.”

Kimi Raikkonen says results mean nothing to him or Alfa Romeo if they are outside of the points-paying positions, after another subdued event for the team.

Alfa Romeo holds eighth position in the Constructors’ Championship, in front of Haas and Williams, but has scored only two points, courtesy of Antonio Giovinazzi.

Raikkonen has yet to record a top 10 finish, taking a best of 11th in Styria, while the squad’s C39 has been the slowest one-lap package at every grand prix.

Raikkonen lined up at the rear of the 20-car grid for Formula 1’s 70th Anniversary Grand Prix but made gains to head the backmarker battle, taking 15th, ahead of Haas’ Romain Grosjean, Giovinazzi and the two Williams racers.

“11th or last it makes no difference,” he said.

“We did what we could but we still don’t have enough speed to try to recover from what happens on Saturdays.

“We seem to struggle a lot when we get closer to the other cars, especially in the first part of the race, in the high-speed corners. On our own we seem to be OK, but what can I do?”

Alfa Romeo, Haas and Williams have been embroiled in their own battle at the rear of the field throughout the delayed 2020 campaign and Giovinazzi doubts the situation will change in the short-term.

“It wasn’t the easiest of days: we tried our best, we chose to split the strategies to give ourselves a few more chances but in the end it was not enough to get points,” he said of his Silverstone display.

“Our race pace was once again better than what we showed on Saturday, so we can hope to make a step forward if we improve our performance in qualifying.

“We need to keep positive and work hard, as a team, to improve: it’s not realistic to expect many things changing in a couple of days, but at least we are going to a new venue and we can hope it suits us a bit better than Silverstone.”

Alfa Romeo can still target scoring regular top 10 finishes in the 2020 Formula 1 season in spite of its subdued start, according to team boss Frederic Vasseur.

Alfa Romeo has had the slowest package in each qualifying session this year, with Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi yet to escape Q1, and has scored only two points.

Those pair of points came at the season-opening event in Austria when Giovinazzi classified ninth.

It has left Alfa Romeo eighth in the Constructors’ Championship – where it finished in 2018 and 2019 – ahead of only Haas and Williams.

“The next three races will be another crucial juncture of the season,” said Vasseur.

“We come from the first real break, after the opening triple header: it’s been the first chance for the teams to regroup, assess the situation and start addressing the rest of the year, so it will be important to show we have made use of the time since Hungary to make progress.

“We have a much more defined idea of where the strengths, and weaknesses, of our package are and we keep working together to make another step forward after what we have shown in the first few races.

“The midfield battle is still close and I have full confidence that our team has what it takes, both in terms of personnel and machinery, to score regularly.”

Raikkonen, who has yet to open his points account for 2020, believes Alfa Romeo can put in a more competitive display at the upcoming Silverstone double-header.

“The first few races haven’t been ideal in terms of results but the important thing is that we are moving in the right direction,” he said.

“We have identified the areas where we need to improve and hopefully we will get to Silverstone with the solutions needed to give us some extra competitivity.

“We have seen we can fight against most midfield cars on Sunday and we are confident we can come home with points from either of these two races.”