It remains to be seen how serious the consequences of the corona crisis will be for the car industry, motorsport and the economy in general. It is clear that there are hard blows. The future of various car brands in Formula 1, including Alfa Romeo, seems to be hanging on a thread.
Various car brands are represented in Formula 1; the absolute top of motorsport. Not only because of brand awareness and prestige, but also to strengthen the brand and technological innovation. Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Renault, Alfa Romeo and Honda are the car brands represented in Formula 1. Aston Martin will be joining next year with their own (acquired) team, that’s the plan. The corona crisis makes the future presence of almost all of these brands very uncertain.
When the auto industry scrambles after the peak of the crisis, the rubble needs to be explored. Participation in motorsport, an expensive affair with not always the highest return, seems like an obvious austerity item. Mercedes has not yet officially confirmed to remain in Formula 1 and the future of Renault in the sport already seemed uncertain for Corona. In addition, Honda’s F1 engine division is a huge money guzzler. That crane may close (partly) if Honda needs the money for the recovery after corona.
Now Alfa Romeo is the first brand that really expresses concrete doubts about the future because of the virus. Alfa Romeo Racing team boss Frédéric Vasseur in conversation with Auto Hebdo“This affects everyone in every way. There are difficult times ahead of us. There is a time before and a time after Covid-19,” said the Frenchman, comparing it to crises such as the Gulf War, September 11 and even the Second World war. “It changes our priorities and I wonder if motorsport is one of them.”