The livery change on Alfa Romeo’s C42 is meant to celebrate the launch of the brand’s road car, the Tonale , an electric SUV. As a novelty, the engine cover and side impact pillar will be painted green for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, thus simulating the shades of the Italian flag.
In a statement, the Hinwil-based team states that “the green color is a nod to the Montreal tone, used at the launch of the Tonale, but also because of the strong link with the identity of Alfa Romeo for the transition towards a concept of more responsible and sustainable mobility”.
Gallery: photos of Alfa Romeo’s special livery for the 2022 F1 Azerbaijan GP
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Photo by: Giorgio Piola
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
Foto de: Alfa Romeo
The livery also takes the form of the road model’s signature headlights on the deck of the Formula 1 single-seater. The Tonale, which arrives in European showrooms this weekend, is the firm’s first electrified C-SUV or crossover SUV .
The drivers of the Grand Circus team, Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, tested the car at the beginning of the year in the Italian Alps, and it is because Sauber , which competes as Alfa Romeo in Formula 1, has always maintained that its links with the manufacturer were more than a brand activity.
Previously, the Swiss were closely involved in the development of Alfa Romeo’s road cars, the Guilia GTA and the GTAm in 2020.
Last year, the team’s chief executive, Frédéric Vasseur , spoke of the collaboration: “Although it is outside the world of Formula 1, I think it is important to build a strong cooperation between the two companies.”
“The motorsports section is one part of the partnership, and it is crucial if you want to develop the bond between the brand and the Formula 1 team,” said the team boss.
Through its partner, JigSpace , Alfa Romeo will use augmented reality to offer fans a view of what it calls “an interactive 3D version” of the unique livery.
