Alpine boss claims he is “happy” with the team’s ‘new mindset’ after sacking key personnel

Alpine had sacked Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane in July 2023.

Alpine boss claims he is “happy” with the team’s ‘new mindset’ after sacking key personnel

Bruno Famin [L] Otmar Szafnauer [R] (images via IMAGO)

The Alpine F1 team had some major changes mid-way through the 2023 season. Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane were sacked by the Enstone-based team. Moreover, Alpine’s Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry left the squad for Williams. Now, Alpine Chief Bruno Famin has mentioned that he is glad to see the team’s new environment since the restructuring.

The Frenchman claimed that the change in the leadership structure had created a new mindset at the Enstone-based team. Famin reckoned that he was happy with the results since then. The Alpine Intermin Team Principal was convinced that the team had improved in terms of race execution ever since it sacked the aforementioned personnel. Although, the 50-year-old did not name anyone in particular.

We made some quite good, quite big changes at the end of July within the team, and this created a new mindset on the track-side team. I'm quite happy with what I've seen so far. I think we made some quite good races in terms of strategy execution since then.
Bruno Famin said as reported by RacingNews365

Bruno Famin highlighted that he is working round the clock to understand the workings of Alpine’s factory in Enstone as well as the Renault F1 power units division. The Frenchman admitted that both departments must work in synergy to extract the most performance. As such, the Alpine boss was still evaluating the current status.

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I'm still assessing with both the factories, to really see how to extract more performance and I think one of the key things is trying to get all the people working together: both sites but also within each of the sites to extract all the potential we have.

Alpine needs to improve in 2024

The Renault works team had the target of 100 races to become a top team in F1 when the French giant acquired the Lotus team at the end of 2016. However, the Enstone-based team could only manage to stay in the F1 midfield in recent years. Moreover, the French squad fell behind the likes of Aston Martin and McLaren in 2023.

Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon at the Mexican GP
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon at the Mexican GP (image via IMAGO)

This led to major changes at Enstone. Alpine decided to change its leadership once again with Bruno Famin serving as Interim Team Principal. Although it is unclear if the Frenchman will continue as the team boss in the long run. Nevertheless, the Renault works team would be looking to make major progress next season.

Alpine has admitted that its power units lag behind rivals. This has put the French team on the back foot till the new regulations are introduced in 2026. Bruno Famin and his team understand this issue. However, the Renault works team aims to make the most out of its available package in the upcoming season.

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