Fred Vassuer on name change from Sauber to Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo team boss Frederic Vasseur says he has asked permission from the founder, Peter Sauber, to change the name Sauber to Alfa Romeo and the end of last season. Vasseur was the first to call the founder who said he would not mind if the name Sauber were to expire.

"His response was important to me," Vasseur told Motorsport.com. "He said: "If you think it's a good step forward for the team, let's do it. I'll be behind you then.' It was a big step for the company, a long-term deal with Alfa Romeo. You can only build something if you look at the long or medium term, not with three-month projects."

It was a strong season for Alfa Romeo who finished the season eighth in the constructor's championship. Both drivers performed well and will be desperate for more success in 2020.

"Last year we came from nothing and we were very opportunistic during the season," Vassuer said. "I think we scored roughly all the points we could have scored. This season the situation was different and we were a little less opportunistic.