Wolff doesn't really understand why Permane was pushed aside by Alpine

A fresh wind is blowing at Alpine and that is without Otmar Szafnauer, Alan Permane and Pat Fry. The latter opted for an adventure at Williams, Szafnauer claims his contract was torn up by mutual agreement, but with Permane it is a different story. The sporting director did not leave of his own free will and Toto Wolff is a little surprised by the turn of events.

At the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Permane wanted to reveal very little about the news that Alpine had brought out about the reorganisation. "I think that is something for Bruno (Famin, interim team boss, ed.), you have to ask Bruno," he said about why his contract was dissolved mid-season.

Wolff puts question marks

Permane's departure is extraordinary, as he worked for Alpine for no less than 34 years. From 2012, he was the sporting director, but that has now come to an end. Wolff: "Alan is a constant in Formula 1. He is one of the longest-serving chief engineers in the sport and certainly has a lot of knowledge and experience," he is quoted by Motorsport-Magazin.com.

Why Permane is then - at least so it seems - so suddenly thrown in the trash is not clear to Wolff. "I don't know the details of the management change at Alpine. They have a lot of very respectable people and top staff, but you shouldn't throw someone with so much experience out the door," said the Mercedes team boss.

Rouse successor Permane

Permane will be temporarily replaced by Julian Rouse, the current Alpine Academy director. It is unclear who Alpine has in mind to bring in for the long-term position of sporting director.