Alfa Romeo is set to return to Formula One after a 30-year absence as part of a partnership deal with the Sauber F1 Team.

The official name of the team will be changed to Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team as part of the “multi-year technical and commercial partnership agreement” signed today.

Beginning in the 2018 season, the team’s racing cars will sport the distinctive colours and logo of Alfa Romeo and will be equipped with 2018 Ferrari power units.

The move follows the Alfa Romeo brand's return to the British Touring Car Championships earlier this year, albeit with a privateer-run Giulietta hatchback.

Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of the FCA Group, said: “This agreement with the Sauber F1 Team is a significant step in the reshaping of the Alfa Romeo brand.

“The Alfa Romeo engineers and technicians, who have already demonstrated their capabilities with the newly-launched models, Giulia and Stelvio, will have the opportunity to make that experience available to the Sauber F1 Team.

“At the same time, Alfa Romeo fans will once again have the opportunity to support an automaker that is determined to begin writing an exciting new chapter in its unique, legendary sporting history.”

A statement issued by the FCA Group said that the scope of the agreement between Alfa Romeo and Sauber includes strategic, commercial and technological cooperation in all applicable areas of development, including access to engineering know-how and the expertise of Alfa Romeo technical staff.