The struggles of Alpine have been constant since Renault reestablished its Formula 1 team in 2016. Despite promises of progress, it is unlikely that Alpine will see a significant improvement until the 2026 season, when new regulations will come into effect. Former team principal Otmar Szafnauer, who left the team after last year’s Belgian Grand Prix, doubts that the ownership truly understands what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. During his time away from Alpine, Szafnauer has been working on an innovative digital itinerary system called EventR, which is already being used by several teams in F1.
The departure of Szafnauer, along with that of sporting director Alan Permane, was a surprise and marked a sudden change in direction for the team in the middle of the 2023 season. Their exit was due to a disagreement over the timeline for success, as Szafnauer and Permane felt that Renault’s expectations were unrealistic. This highlights a larger issue of automotive companies not listening to F1 experts who understand what it takes to make a project successful. Former chief technical officer Pat Fry also criticized Renault for lacking ambition to do better than fourth place.
The differences between automotive companies and Formula 1 are vast, according to Szafnauer. He believes that automotive companies should leave the sport to the experts, as the technology, engineering, and education required in Formula 1 are on a different level. Unlike automotive companies, F1 engineers are highly educated, motivated, and passionate about the sport. This striking difference in mindset and dedication can hinder the success of automotive companies in Formula 1.
The long-standing underinvestment by Renault in F1 and underestimation of the time and dedication required have hindered Alpine’s progress. The introduction of cost caps has further extended the time needed for Alpine to overcome infrastructure disadvantages. Despite having talented personnel, they are limited by ownership constraints. This has resulted in a significant drop in Alpine’s performance this year, with the team failing to score points in the first five races.
Mistakes with the car, such as the failure in the side impact test for the chassis and unmet aerodynamic goals, have contributed to Alpine’s struggles. Despite a slight improvement in performance after updates, the team still finished 11th at the Chinese Grand Prix. Szafnauer refuted claims by his successor, Bruno Famin, that this year’s car’s poor performance is a result of previous management. He argued that the car development schedule invalidates this claim, as the decision to have a new chassis this year was logical given the cost cap regulations.
Szafnauer emphasized that his departure and that of Permane before the August break, along with the earlier exit of chief technical director Fry, cannot be blamed for Alpine’s current situation. Limited resources and time available for testing and aerodynamic updates contribute to the challenges faced by the team. After the break, focus shifts to next year’s car, with changes primarily made for aerodynamic benefits. Famin insists that Renault is committed to its F1 team and has the necessary support, but the real test will come in 2026 with the introduction of new car and power unit regulations.
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