Mercedes Motorsport Dir Toto Wolff said that the Formula 1 team "could follow in Ferrari's footsteps" by creating its own "B-team" like the Italian brand has done with Alfa Romeo and Sauber, according to Ryan Wood of MOTORSPORT WEEK. Sauber will be known as Alfa Romeo Sauber in '18 following "a link-up with the Italian manufacturer which shares a president with Ferrari in Sergio Marchionne." The partnership is focused on selling more Alfa Romeo cars, "but will run Ferrari engines and a Ferrari-backed driver in Charles Leclerc." The team "will also receive technical support from Ferrari, effectively making it a B-team." Wolff reckons that is a "clever strategy" that could "aid Ferrari's championship hopes, whilst giving it more power in the sport." Wolff said, "I think what Sergio Marchionne and [team principal] Maurizio [Arrivabene] are doing is very clever. They've had a good relationship with Haas. That has helped Haas and helped Ferrari and what they are doing now with Sauber is very visionary. It can be an alliance that can be dangerous for us. ... It's something that we are considering" (MOTORSPORT WEEK, 1/2).
