RaceFans Round-up: Alonso-backed Formula Renault team debuts

In the round-up: The racing team backed by Fernando Alonso has run its Formula Renault Eurocup car for the first time. David Gonzalez drove the FA Racing by Drivex car at the Cremona circuit in Italy, in very cold and wet conditions.

Social media

Notable posts from Twitter, Instagram and more:

Today I have witnessed a very special moment, firing up for the first time the FA Racing Formula Renault 2019. With this car we reinforce the commitment for younger generations from the FA kart (3 times karting world champions) to the single seaters. Let's go! #FAracing @drivex_ pic.twitter.com/6kw4mMvEAB

— Fernando Alonso (@alo_oficial) February 1, 2019

Unbelievable. The most tense I’ve ever felt in the stands, which then emptied pretty quickly.

— Dawn Chandler (@Dawnchandler84) January 31, 2019

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtUSwuFHtZh/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtWvge3FEzU/

Find more official F1 accounts to follow in the F1 Twitter Directory

Links

Comment of the day

Sauber’s metamorphosis into Alfa Romeo has provoked mixed feelings for many:

As an Alfa man it’s great to have the name back front and centre.

But I don’t like the manner in which it has been done (losing the Sauber name), nor do I like that they are in essence Ferrari’s Toro Rosso. This just brings them closer under the Ferrari wing and (IMO) paves the way for even closer collaboration in future.

Let’s see how this one pans out.
Brian (@Bealzbob)

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26 comments on “Alonso-backed Formula Renault team debuts”

Iosif (@afonic)
2nd February 2019, 0:05

Alfa should probably apply for those heritage payments, being the oldest team and all. 😉

Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
2nd February 2019, 0:13

@afonic: Why not? Could take it out of Ferrari’s share. Oh…wait…

Jimmi Cynic (@jimmi-cynic)
2nd February 2019, 0:08

Does Fred have a championship trophy as an owner/driver yet?

Paul Heppler (@paulheppler)
2nd February 2019, 23:35

I’m still researching that one … Karting?

Jere (@jerejj)
2nd February 2019, 7:48

Hopefully, he indeed can build on those for the next season.

I agree with the COTD in principle although a closer collaboration mightn’t necessarily always be that bad. Let’s wait and see how it’s eventually going to pan out.

Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
2nd February 2019, 7:58

I’m really looking forward to their first win.
1. Jere (@jerejj)
  2nd February 2019, 21:00
  
  @drycrust I have my doubts about that. I don’t think they could beat Mercedes, Ferrari, or RBR on raw pace, so quite a lot would probably have to happen for them to win a race or even achieve a podium.

kpcart
2nd February 2019, 8:07

Didn’t BMW also remove sauber’s around 2008/09 before sauber took it back when BMW quit?

KaIIe (@kaiie)
2nd February 2019, 9:38

No, it was called BMW Sauber then.
1. Jere (@jerejj)
  2nd February 2019, 21:04
  
  @kpcart Yes. It was a full-fledged BMW works team from 2006 to 2009 before becoming Sauber again after BMW withdraw from F1 altogether.
  @kaiie Yes, it was called BMW-Sauber, but technically it was still 100% BMW works-team nevertheless despite the Sauber-name appearing within the team name on the official entry lists.

Paul Heppler (@paulheppler)
2nd February 2019, 8:21

Heart breaking … I guess the Williams name will be the next and last to fall of the once greats.

Paul Heppler (@paulheppler)
2nd February 2019, 8:23

Oh my, there is still Bruce’s team name left … my bad.
1. Joao (@johnmilk)
  2nd February 2019, 13:22
  
  But is it really?
Duncan Snowden
2nd February 2019, 13:21

Were Sauber ever “great” in F1? Don’t get me wrong, I have huge affection for them, but to me this feels more like the demise of Jordan or Arrows than, say, Lotus or Tyrrell: sad, certainly, but not a tragic loss to the sport. It hasn’t even been Peter Sauber’s team for some time now.

That said, I understand the annoyance at the trampling of his legacy by a superficial marketing makeover. Alfa could at least retain the “C” numbering sequence for the chassis as a token gesture to long-term fans. But I’ll miss the presence of a Swiss entry on the grid more than the name itself, I think.
1. Gabriel (@rethla)
  2nd February 2019, 17:44
  
  Are they moving out of Switzerland?
  1. Jere (@jerejj)
    2nd February 2019, 21:05
    
    @rethla No.
  2. Duncan Snowden
    4th February 2019, 12:20
    
    No, but presumably Alfa will want them to enter under an Italian licence.
    1. J.A. B
      4th February 2019, 22:03
      
      For the time being, the licence is still Swiss.

Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
2nd February 2019, 9:58

If Alfa drop the Sauber name, Racing Point should jump in and take it! Might get a few extra fans too. Would only be as confusing as the Lotus / Team Lotus debacle!

stefano (@alfa145)
2nd February 2019, 10:40

Maybe renaming the new team as Alfa Romeo Sauber would have been the more sensible thing to do

Iosif (@afonic)
2nd February 2019, 12:36

That was their name last season.
1. petebaldwin (@)
  2nd February 2019, 15:40
  
  And that comment shows why they are dropping the name. Alfa Romeo Sauber didn’t work because everyone called them Sauber.