Alfa Romeo Giulia ETCR Unveiled

Photo: ETCR

Alfa Romeo has become the third brand to be represented in the ETCR electric touring car platform, with Romeo Ferraris unveiling its own privately-built car on Friday.

The Italian company has been involved for over five years in designing and producing the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR, which has won races in every national and international championship it has competed in, including FIA WTCR.

It has now designed its Giulia ETCR independently from Alfa Romeo, and the car will bring the Giulia name back to motorsports fifty years after the Giulia Ti Super debuted in 1962.

It marks Romeo Ferraris’ first venture into electric racing, for which it will work with Hexathron Racing System as its technical consultant.

“After giving the Alfa Romeo Giulietta TCR the best results that could be achieved by an independently-run program such as ours, we are taking a brave dive into the new ETCR series concept,” said the team’s operations manager Michela Cerruti, who made four Formula E starts with Trulli in 2014-15.

“We believe that electric is the obvious choice for the future, not only for auto mobility but also for motor racing.

“Our engineers are already at work and we are starting this journey later than the big carmakers that have already been engaged in electric racing for some time, with way more resources than a private constructor like us.

“Regardless of all that, we will do our utmost to keep our reputation high, as we have always done so far.”

A statement released by the team says the independent nature of the project “underlines the merits of the work” it “undertakes without official support from carmakers, firmly believing in the principles of fair competition in racing and relying entirely on its own staff, trained and developed in-house over the years.”

Marcello Lotti, WSC Group president added: “Very few brands in motorsport history have such great tradition and appeal as Alfa Romeo.

“We are delighted and proud that Romeo Ferraris has embarked on such an ambitious programme that involves another mythical name like Giulia.

“The company has proved its expertise and professionalism with the successful Giulietta TCR and I am confident that they will be up to the task in this new demanding undertaking.”

Alfa Romeo is therefore the third brand represented in ETCR, joining Cupra and Hyundai. The series’ first races are set to take place in summer 2020.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.