(Motorsports news) Alfa Romeo, which will rebrand as Sauber starting in 2026 before changing to Audi, has faced difficulties during the campaign since the C43 car hasn’t made the anticipated progress. With just 16 points between drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, the team is currently fourth in the constructors’ championship, four points ahead of Haas, the bottom team. After hiring James Key as its new technical director, the team evaluated its Hinwil base and concluded that there would be no use in trying to improve upon its current design for the upcoming year.

Instead, Alfa Romeo is going to take a completely different approach with the C44, which it hopes will solve the issues it has been having this season. Alessandro Alunni Bravi, the team principal for Alfa Romeo, stated that Key had played a crucial role in assisting the team in shifting their focus towards a different project for 2024. “He started the first week of September, so he’s also contributing to next year’s car, to our C44 car,” said Alunni Bravi.

Together, we went over the project in its entirety, and because of his expertise, we were able to thoroughly analyze every aspect of the car and make conclusions. As a result, we do not believe that the car of next year will be a continuation of the one of this year due to conceptual limitations that we are unable to overcome. Thus, everything about the car—from the chassis to the suspension—will be brand new. Of course, figuring out what the issues are is simple, but fixing them is another story. Thus, the group is expanding, and we are working hard.

“Alfa Romeo has new appointments that are joining, and those will be able to contribute to next year’s car, but the answer will be given to all of us next year in Bahrain.” If given the proper tools, Alunni Bravi expressed confidence that drivers Bottas and Guanyu could have produced what Alfa Romeo required. “If we are able to provide a performing car to our drivers, they can deliver,” he stated. “However, the main thing is to provide them with what they require in order to function.

“Our drivers are not having any problems. They have expertise, and their ability to contribute with points has been demonstrated. “However, the goal is to create a car that is more powerful and performs better in any situation, including track, tire temperature, etc. This has proven to be our weakest area. Too many highs and lows, and inconsistent play all season long.”

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