Debate | Without Szafnauer, Alpine is doomed both in 2023 and 2024

The news of the day at Spa-Francorchamps was not that Max Verstappen once again secured himself pole position, but that Otmar Szafnauer is leaving Alpine after the Belgian Grand Prix. It is yet another change of direction at the French formation. But is this what the current constructors' number six needs?

Dismissed is not the right word, interim team boss Bruno Famin stressed at the team principals' press conference on Friday. By mutual agreement, the 2022 team boss' contract was terminated. What was behind it? A difference of opinion on the course to be taken. Not only is Szafnauer working on his last weekend in Alpine's service, we will not see sporting director Alan Permane (who worked at the French marque for more than 30 years) again.

Alpine's (formerly Renault) ambitions have been sky-high for years, but its best result was a fourth place in the constructors' championship. That was last year, led by the same Szafnauer who is now being thanked for services rendered. Famin and interim sporting director Julian Rouse are going to do a few things differently and that should speed up the (long) road that needs to be closed towards the top teams.

You cannot argue that Szafnauer has not been successful at the teams he has worked for in Formula 1. At Alpine, he performed to the maximum in 2022 and with Force India, he did better than thought possible for years with limited budgets.

Szafnauer next in long line

In previous years, we have already seen several top people die at Alpine. We mention Alain Prost, Cyril Abiteboul, Frederic Vasseur and Marcin Budkowski. What Alpine will do differently again now, we do not know. Famin did not give an unequivocal answer there in the press conference. But is, at a time when things are down a bit like now, useful to send your team boss away?

Things are rumbling at Alpine, or at least: they were rumbling. From now on, the focus is on moving forward and that should reap rewards in the future. But whether that will succeed. We are therefore happy to present you with the proposition: Without Szafnauer, Alpine is doomed both in 2023 and 2024. Respond to the poll and join the discussion in the comments.