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Zhou Guanyu takes Alfa Romeo C43 on track ahead of 2023 F1 season

Following Alfa Romeo’s eye-catching vehicle unveiling, in which they were the first team to share photographs of an upgraded 2023 car, the Swiss squad has participated in a shakedown ahead of preseason testing.

Current teammates Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, who finished sixth in the constructors’ standings last year, introduced the vehicle to the press at a combined press conference in Zurich and at the company’s headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland. As the firm prepares to finish its sponsorship arrangement in light of Audi’s merging with the operation operated by Sauber, the new principal sponsor Stake is situated exactly in the centre of the livery, which will be the last to exhibit the name Alfa Romeo. The C43 is a “evolution” of its predecessor, the C42, designed by technical director Jan Monchaux and his team, but modifications to the regulations for 2023 have required the team to include “many improvements and wholly new elements,” while the car’s development route promises “a sharp improvement curve.”

In the next days, the brand’s new single-seater Alfa Romeo will hit the track for the first time in a shakedown session in Barcelona before travelling to Bahrain for pre-season testing Feb. 23-25, followed by the 2023 premiere at the Sakhir circuit a week later.

The C43 models were extremely detailed, with the next Alfa Romeo vehicle striking out for its Red Bull-inspired sidepods and a set of projecting fins on the floor and the stable also wanted to pay respect to Italy with a stunning tricolour on the rear wing. A little element that cannot be overlooked.

Lean, mean, and incredibly stunning. The C43, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s 2023 challenger, was presented at a launch event in Zurich and at the team headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, and the world of Formula One now has an early contender for the title of most beautiful car on the grid. The C43, with a stunning red and black livery, will pilot Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu in the 2023 World Championship as the team strives to maintain its upward trajectory.

As the drivers removed the car’s covers at the team’s Hinwil base, a slew of CGI photographs and videos of the C43 were published to the media and fans, bringing the new Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake vehicle to life in all its splendour. The C43 developed from raw materials and atomised pieces in a spectacular unveil film, the ensuing assembly symbolising how the team is a union of individuals who join together, each playing a crucial role in guaranteeing Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s success. In order to improve the fan experience even further, the C43 was made available in Augmented Reality, allowing all fans to bring it into their homes through an interactive trip designed by team partners JigSpace.

In an effort to reintroduce the vehicle to the public, the C43 display car introduced by the drivers was auctioned off by Memento Exclusives on www.f1authentics.com, with bids beginning at the same time as the drivers’ presentation on stage.

The livery, created by Alfa Romeo’s Centro Stile, includes the team’s increasing array of brands, with prominent positions for Alfa Romeo and new title partner, Stake, as well as additional acquisitions that highlight the team’s rising desirability to businesses across different industries. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake has evolved as a Formula One team leader in exploring new techniques to marketing, with unrivalled levels of access and a relentless push for innovation that extends beyond technical considerations.

Following the Hinwil reveal, the drivers joined Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Technical Director Jan Monchaux, and reserve driver Théo Pourchaire at the TV studios in Zurich to meet a select group of fans who had been brought closer to the team for this occasion, as well as to participate in an online press conference with international media.

The C43 is an evolution of last year’s successful challenger, the C42, designed by the technical team led by Jan Monchaux and powered by a new Ferrari power unit: however, due to the FIA’s limited but significant changes in regulations, the C43 incorporates several updates and completely new parts, with its overall development path still promising a steep improvement curve.

The car shed its “winter livery,” a piece of art by graffiti artist BOOGIE, and is now ready for a shakedown session this week in Barcelona, followed by winter testing in Bahrain at the end of the month.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Managing Director of Sauber Group and Team Representative: “Bringing a car to life is a long process which touches every department of a racing team, therefore it’s a moment of great pride to see it unveiled today. We chose to do it in front of our fans, close to our home, because the launch of a new car is not only a moment to state your objectives for the season ahead: it’s also a time to give back to the people who have supported you, be it in the grandstands, in front of the TV or back at the factory, and express our gratitude for their passion and their belief in our project. Our new car is the results of months of work, but today is just the beginning of a journey: we need to keep working hard, with humility and dedication, to bring performance to the track. Everyone in the team is committed to this target and we are confident we will reap the rewards of our work.”

Jan Monchaux, Technical Director of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake: “I am very proud of what we have achieved over these last months, because creating a new car is always a massive effort from the team. This car is an evolution of last year’s, reflecting the new regulations and introducing major changes in the areas where we found improvements to be needed. I hope it’s going to be quicker than the successful car we had last year, that’s what matters most, and more reliable as well: we have put a lot of effort in this direction. Now, it’s time to get to the track and see how this car performs. I’m happy to get back to racing and I’m confident there will be much more to come from us soon.”

Valtteri Bottas, race driver of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake: “The C43 is finally here, and I cannot wait to bring it out on track. I really like our new livery, I think it’s stunning, and a fine evolution from last year’s one. It’s been an interesting first season with the team, we made some pretty solid progress together, and now there’s only one direction to follow: up, higher, and better. There is obviously still work to do and things to improve, but I am confident we have it in ourselves to aim for even higher results this year. I cannot wait to go back to racing, I am fully charged and eager to get the new season started.”

Zhou Guanyu, race driver of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake: “I am happy to finally see the C43 being unveiled after all the behind-the-scenes work that has been done in the past months; I think we are sporting a beautiful new design for 2023, and I am looking forward to driving the car in Barcelona in the next days, before properly getting the season started with winter testing in Bahrain. Last year, the team made me feel at home from the very start, welcoming me and giving me time to learn and improve. The expectation for this year is definitely higher, and I will carry all the experience from my rookie season into 2023. I’m excited for what’s coming, and I’m fully ready to attack.”

Théo Pourchaire, reserve driver of Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake: “First of all, I am thankful and honoured to be taking part in my first Formula One launch as a reserve driver for the team. It is great to see the efforts paying off, and I cannot wait to get started! I have seen the great amount of work that has been put into bringing the car from paper to reality, and I am happy for everyone back at the factory, I think they have done an amazing job. There is of course great expectation, and I am looking forward to seeing the C43 hitting the track in just a few days. I feel part of a great family and a great team, and I am determined to do my best and push the limits to achieve the best results possible.”

Harry S

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