The most recent addition to Alpine’s team is David Sanchez, who recently left McLaren’s Formula 1 team after a short stint with Ferrari. This change comes as a surprise, considering Alpine had previously committed to a three-person technical team. However, the departures of technical director Matt Harman and aerodynamics chief Dirk de Beer forced Alpine to rethink its strategy. Despite these changes, Alpine has been struggling in the 2024 season and has yet to score any points.
In an attempt to improve their performance, Alpine announced a “new three-pillar approach” in March. This included Joe Burnell as engineering technical director, David Wheater as aerodynamics technical director, and Ciaron Pilbeam as performance technical director. The goal was to enhance collaboration and achieve better results on and off the track. However, Sanchez’s availability led to a change in plans.
Alpine has now appointed Sanchez as their executive technical director, a role that supersedes the positions of Burnell, Wheater, and Pilbeam. Team principal Bruno Famin believes that Sanchez’s appointment is crucial to optimizing the team’s performance. Famin acknowledges that Alpine has not progressed as expected and hopes Sanchez’s expertise will help unlock their potential.
Sanchez, who began his Formula 1 career with Renault in 2005, is excited about the opportunity to improve Alpine’s performance on the track. He recognizes the challenge ahead but finds motivation in such endeavors. Unlike his role at McLaren, where he felt restricted, the position at Alpine offers Sanchez the seniority he desires.
Sanchez’s time at McLaren was marked by changes in the technical leadership structure. Initially, he was expected to be a traditional technical director. However, McLaren adopted a three-person plan that altered his responsibilities. This change may have contributed to Sanchez’s dissatisfaction and the feeling that he was too senior for the role assigned to him.
The complex technical leadership structure at McLaren, with several key figures playing significant roles, may have limited Sanchez’s influence and reach. He may have felt that his idealized role had been diluted or redirected. Ultimately, Sanchez’s departure from McLaren and his move to Alpine allow him to operate above the structure he found incompatible.
The task ahead for Sanchez at Alpine is substantial, as the team has been underperforming in the 2024 season. However, his new position offers him the opportunity to play to his strengths and make a significant impact.
