Alpine with yet another change: will they ever learn?

Almost a year ago GPblog published a column about Alpine. Then too, on the Friday before the Belgian Grand Prix, it was announced that Alpine's team principal would no longer stay with the team. Otmar Szafnauer was shown the door and Bruno Famin declared at the press conference that Alpine could get to the top much faster than Szafnauer had told the management. Big words, deeds failed to materialise.

In reality, Alpine slipped further to the back of the F1 grid under Famin's leadership. Famin stated that the previous technical management was responsible for this car, but the previous management laugh at those statements. For example, Pat Fry already stated that Alpine simply want to finish fourth and that the real will to win is lacking. Szafnauer said words to the same meaning.

Frederic Vasseur, Cyril Abiteboul, Nick Chester, Marcin Budkowski, Alain Prost, Alan Permane, Pat Fry, Otmar Szafnauer, Dirk de Beer and Matt Harman. Just some names who came and left very quickly in recent years. Most of them drew the same conclusion: Alpine say they want to win, but they do not give their all. Translation: Alpine/Renault do not want to invest as much money as the other top teams, but expect to be on the front anyway.

Why Famin's resignation is no surprise

That Famin would leave the was already clear for some time. His potential successor, Oliver Oakes, is also already being mentioned. Whereas on Friday morning Alpine were still frantically trying to dismiss those stories as 'fake', a few hours later they turned out to be true, of course. Those attempts mainly showed how much pressure there is internally on the team.

Because PR-wise, you can say anything but that this can be called a success for Alpine. First of all, people at the Alpine factory knew nothing about it. The people who learned through the media that the engine they are building will not be used in 2026. Besides Famin quitting, the team principal now also confirmed that Alpine no longer want to build their own engine, but want to buy it from another manufacturer.

Of course, that too is a PR disaster for a brand like Alpine. The Renault F1 team were renamed Alpine precisely to promote the French manufacturer's sports brand. To showcase that brand's class at the pinnacle of motorsport. When that brand then starts running with a Mercedes engine and gearbox from 2026, one wonders to what extent that helps to create a positive image.

Why changes at Alpine mean good news

Still, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel and good news for people at the F1 factory in Enstone. Some of the funds Renault are now pumping into creating the F1 engine will also go towards the F1 team. With a Mercedes engine and gearbox, the team will become more competitive anyway and with more resources, more will also become possible with the car.

It seems to be the consequence of the arrival of Flavio Briatore. Whatever you think of the man, he understands darn well what is needed in F1. A fast engine is a key component. If Renault do not want to invest as much as Mercedes, he would rather buy the Mercedes engine and use the freed-up budget for the F1 team.

Similarly, Briatore would have looked at how to fill up Famin's position, who is stepping down. His successor is already talked about: Oliver Oakes. A man who is at the helm in the feeder classes at Hitech and works with Red Bull Racing. Helmut Marko already mentioned him talking to GPblog and Oakes also revealed how he handles talent in an exclusive interview with GPblog.com.

Briatore was appointed with in his package to make the strategic decisions for the team. Famin said it at the press conference: Briatore has his own way. That way is now becoming evident. The team is being prepared to be as competitive as possible in 2026 as a customer team. With new drivers, new management and possibly a new owner? Knowing Alpine, that will be continued.......