Speaking to reporters at his company's Maranello HQ in December, Ferrari president Sergio Marchionne admitted that the Alfa Romeo name could return to F1.

Part of the Fiat Group since 1986, Alfa Romeo has been involved in racing, in one form or another, since 1911 when it contested the Targa Florio, indeed, Enzo Ferrari, raced for the works team between 1920 and 1932 before leaving to establish Scuderia Ferrari.

Alfa Romeo enjoyed F1 success both as a manufacturer of cars and engines, Giuseppe Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio winning the 1950 and 1951 world championship title driving the red cars.

"It's incredible how the Alfa marque remains in people's hearts," said Marchionne. "For that very reason we are thinking about bringing it back, as our competitor, to racing, to Formula One. It's important for Alfa to return."

Now, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Marchionne has reiterated his desire to see the legendary name back racing, with F1 the only discipline in mind.

"In order to establish their sporting brand they must consider returning to Formula 1," he said. "They would probably work with Ferrari."

Asked if Alfa might consider WEC, and in particular Le Mans, he replied: "I would much rather put them in Formula One.

At one stage during Red Bull's protracted search for an engine partner, it was thought Ferrari might supply units, albeit badged as Alfa Romeo. However, whilst some assume an Alfa entry would probably see Ferrari engines in the back of the cars, Marchionne insists that this is not necessarily so.

"Alfa Romeo are capable of making their own chassis, just like they are capable of making their own engine," he said.

Referring to the Red Bull saga, which culminated in the Austrian team sticking with Renault, albeit badging the engines as Tag-Heuer, Marchionne said: "People struggled to imagine Red Bull working with Ferrari. I say that because people criticise me for not giving them an engine.

"I agree with people that say that Red Bull were too tough on their engine suppliers," he added, "but in the end this sport must continue. The important thing is to have other large manufacturers enter the sport."