The car was designed to use the Alfa Romeo 's V8 turbocharged engine . When engineer Carlo Chiti left Alfa Romeo , he founded Motori Moderni . Caliri designed the team 's prototype Formula One car ( intended as a dual purpose design for the new Formula 3000 ) around Alfa Romeo 's V8 turbocharged engine but when engineer Carlo Chiti left Alfa Romeo to found Motori Moderni , Minardi became the only customer for his new V6 engine design .