MOTORSPORT: Giulia could hit the track

Alfa Romeo's new Giulia sports sedan could soon be leading the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship field … as the category’s new safety car.

Current safety, course and medical car supplier Lexus has come to the end of its current two-year deal with the championship and while negotiations continue for an extension, the Italian brand has shown interest in taking on the job.

At least two other brands are also said to be interested, which offers guaranteed television time through the 14-round championship and gives the rights-holder the chance to host guests and cycle about 2500 people through the cars in on-track rides.

The Giulia launches in Australia in January 2017, with the range to be headed by the 375kW QV. It is the first mass production rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo to be sold in Australia since the 75 of the 1980s.

The Giulia is the trigger for the relaunch of the brand in Australia. It is the first of up to eight new models that should be on sale here by the end of 2020.

Fiat Chrysler Australia senior communications manager Glenn Butler was seen at Sydney Olympic Park last Saturday taking in the action at the Coates Hire Sydney 500. He is understood to have had preliminary discussions with VASC execs about a potential Alfa Romeo safety car involvement while on-site.

The tie-up makes sense because of Alfa’s traditional links with motorsport throughout its 106-year history.

At a media function in Melbourne to reveal further details of the Giulia today – you can read more on Friday morning – FCA Australia chief Steve Zanlunghi refused to specifically discuss the potential pace car program, but did confirm the brand’s interest in promoting its sporting heritage.

“We are looking at all the available opportunities for Alfa Romeo that would fit the brand DNA, so obviously, it is a racing brand and it’s a got a racing heritage,” he said.

“No news to report but we are looking at a lot of different things.”

Asked if Alfa Romeo could go to the next step and race in Supercars, Zanlunghi was general in his answer without ruling such a prospect out.

“If the return made sense for us and it would move the brand forward then we would look at anything,” he said.

“This [Giulia] represents a whole new era for Alfa Romeo.”

While Zanlunghi was cautious about the prospect of a Giulia Supercar, one senior Supercars team engineer has told motoring.com.au the car’s shape was excellent aerodynamically and would work well in the category.