Sergio Marchionne has hinted that Alfa Romeo could return to Formula 1 for the first time since the late 1980's as its own team, in order to promote the brand as part of plans to turn the company's fortunes around.
The Alfa Romeo name almost made a return this season as an engine supplier to Red Bull. Talks between Marchionne and the Milton Keynes-based team were at an advanced stage which would have seen Ferrari's 2015 power unit rebranded under the Alfa Romeo name and supplied to Red Bull.
However the deal broke down as Red Bull rejected the idea of running year-old engines and chose to remain with Renault, but rebrand the engines under TAG Heuer.
According to Marchionne, reviving Alfa Romeo's F1 return might not be dead, as the Italian has set out a plan which would include the company designing its own chassis and partnering with Ferrari to run rebranded engines.
"In order to restore their name they must consider returning to Formula 1," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Alfa Romeo are capable of making their own chassis, just like they are capable of making their own engine," he said, but suggested a deal to use Ferrari engines was more likely, adding: "They would probably work with Ferrari."
Marchionne then dismissed rumours Alfa Romeo could race in Le Mans, saying: "I would rather see them in F1."
