Alfa Romeo has unveiled its 2019 Formula 1 car, the C38, in the pitlane at the Circuit de Barcelona, ahead of the first day of pre-season testing.
Having been title-sponsor to the Hinwil-based Sauber team in 2018, Alfa Romeo has completed a takeover of the team during the winter.
Despite the change of ownership the team has largely retained the same livery as was featured on last year’s Sauber.
This was despite a special edition livery making an appearance during a filming day at Fiorano last week, with the red and black design dubbed a “Valentines Day” paint scheme.
The radical front-wing concept – which features two significant slot gaps inboard of the endplates – seen during the shakedown has unsurprisingly been retained.
The Alfa Romeo rebrand has also served to strengthen ties to Ferrari.
Former Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen joins the team this season, after swapping seats with Academy graduate Charles Leclerc who impressed with Sauber in his debut campaign last year.
Raikkonen is joined by Ferrari Academy protege and the team’s former reserve driver, Antonio Giovinazzi.
The 2016 Formula 2 vice-champion has only previously started two F1 races, both with Sauber at the start of 2017 when he deputised for the injured Pascal Wehrlein.
Giovinazzi will drive the new car on the second day of pre-season testing, with Raikkonen behind the wheel on day one.
