[7] The car was planned to make its competitive debut at the 2020 Australian Grand Prix, but this was delayed when the race was cancelled and the next three events in Bahrain, Vietnam and China were postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The chassis was designed by Jan Monchaux, Luca Furbatto, Lucia Conconi, Alessandro Cinelli and Nicolas Hennel with the car being powered with a customer Ferrari powertrain.

Prior to pre-season testing, Alfa Romeo painted the car in a "snake skin" livery.

At the season opening Austrian Grand Prix, Kimi Räikkönen's right front tyre came off prompting retirement.

For Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the car bore an Italian flag with the text "Welcome back Imola" as well as the automaker's 110th anniversary logo on the top of the engine cover.