MILAN — The Swiss Formula One outfit Alfa Romeo Sauber have confirmed that Sweden's Marcus Ericsson and young Frenchman Charles Leclerc will compete for the world title in their rebranded car in 2018. Leclerc, 20, won the Formula 2 championship last season after coming through the Ferrari Driver Academy, while Ericsson was at already at Sauber.

The news was announced Saturday as the team's Formula One car was also unveiled with it's slick red and white coloring with a prominent Alfa Romeo logo. The Italian car manufacturer is making a return to the sport after 30-years to sponsor the team.

"Alfa Romeo will offer the opportunity to two young pilots as has already been the case in the past with two champions Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Masa, who debuted here," Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday at the official unveiling.

"So it's a great pleasure announcing Charles Leclerc and Marcus Ericsson will be our official drivers," said Marchionne, administrator for Fiat who own Alfa Romeo and Ferrari. "The motor we use will be the same one Ferrari use," Marchionne said.

Despite describing the launch as historic Marchionne admitted he would still spend the season cheering on Ferrari, but would be keeping a close eye on Alfa Romeo. "For now I'm a Ferrari fan, but if Alfa Romeo Sauber do well that would of course be very welcome," Marchionne said.

Formula Two champion Leclerc, who is a product of Ferrari's junior program, had been expected to make the step up to F1, and it was confirmed that Ericsson will retain his seat.

Leclerc, who turned 20 in October and is from Monaco, became the youngest F2 champion last season, dominating the title race and eventually winning by 72 points. The 27-year-old Ericsson has been at Sauber since 2015. His best finish was eighth in his first race for the team.

Antonio Giovinazzi, another Ferrari product, will be the team's third driver. Leclerc and Ericsson unveiled the team's livery, pulling back covers to reveal a red and white showcar, with a large Alfa Romeo logo on the engine cover. Next year's car will also be equipped with Ferrari power units.

Alfa Romeo has joined up with the Sauber team for a return to Formula One after an absence of more than 30 years. "I believe today is a special moment not only for us but for all of Italy," Marchionne said.

The Alfa Romeo name last appeared in F1 in 1985, although its biggest achievements came during the series' first two years, when Giuseppe "Nino" Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1950 and 1951 titles, respectively. The significance of Alfa Romeo's return to the sport was highlighted by the presence of F1 chairman Chase Carey and FIA president Jean Todt.

"It's a very important agreement for F1," Todt said. "We have big challenges ahead of us and having the contribution of Alfa is essential for the future of F1."

Sauber finished bottom of the constructors' championship last season and team principal Frederic Vasseur is hoping the partnership with Alfa Romeo will push it swiftly up the standings.

"We've got a long way to go to catch up and succeed," Vasseur said. "But Marchionne is not the most patient so we have to speed things up."

Indeed, Marchionne said he was expecting results on the track. "It has a Ferrari engine and in Leclerc and Ericsson two drivers with exceptional talent," he said. "We don't have high expectations for the first year but I think we can definitely improve the position from last year." — AFP