Sauber-Alfa Romeo Partnership set to Increase

The return of an iconic name to Formula One has been a great sight and now the partnership is set to increase in level.

Alfa Romeo's relationship with Sauber is set to increase in the future. The iconic car manufacturer rejoined Formula One in their current capacity after 33 years away from the sport.

The current partnership doesn't extend much further than branding on the rear of the car this season, however, the Italian brand is set to increase their partnership with Sauber within Formula One on a technical level also.

Speaking to Autosport, Sauber team principle Frederic Vasseur explained that the partnership would become a more developed one.

"We didn't do it in a rush but we did it quite fast," he said. "We agreed on the engine supply agreement at the end of July, August, then we started to discuss about Alfa Romeo and we did the announcement at the beginning of December.

"We have a different project and now we have to investigate different aspects of the collaboration.

"We are more than open to extending the collaboration with Alfa Romeo and will see step by step how and what could be the next options.

"A technical collaboration will be one."

The Alfa Romeo partnership came about after the team came to an agreement with Ferrari about running their current power unit in the car, but did not extend further than that. The Scuderia's other partnership with Haas has been a hot topic in the paddock recently, however, Vasseur maintained that his team would not operate on a similar level.

"Ferrari is the engine supplier, Alfa Romeo is the technical partnership," Vasseur said.

"I don't want to discuss Haas and the Haas project. They are doing a good job. We have our own project.

"We have to define with Alfa Romeo how we can succeed, how we can develop the team, and we will take our own way."

Technical director for the team Jorg Zander joined the Swiss outfit from Audi's World Endurance Championship effort after the German manufacturer said they would be withdrawing from the LMP1 category. He praised the success that the new partnership could have and signalled the teams intent to move up towards the midfield.

"We've got a beautiful car, we want it to perform better - but people do realise there's a big change taking place, definitely since I joined," he told Autosport.

"People see that we grow and have much more confidence. Two years ago the situation was certainly much different and it affects people's philosophy, their confidence, they develop a certain culture.

"Now it's about more positive aspects. People start to create much stronger belief and this is of course very positive but it takes time.

"You can't give a message and people say 'OK' and change it all upside down.

"It just takes time until they understand the change needed."