Alpine’s Struggles in Formula 1 and a Rising Brazilian Football Star
Alpine’s Struggles Continue as Former Team Principal Speaks Out
The struggles of Alpine in Formula 1 have been well-documented since Renault reestablished its team in 2016. Despite promises of progress, it seems unlikely that the team 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 last year, has spoken out about the challenges facing Alpine.
Szafnauer, who departed after a disagreement over the timeline for success, doubts that the ownership truly understands what it takes to succeed in Formula 1. He has been working on an innovative digital itinerary system called EventR during his time away from Alpine, which is already being used by several teams in F1.
The departure of Szafnauer, along with sporting director Alan Permane, marked a sudden change in direction for the team in the middle of the 2023 season. Their exit was due to a disagreement over Renault’s expectations for success, which Szafnauer and Permane felt 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.
Szafnauer believes that the differences between automotive companies and Formula 1 are vast, with F1 engineers being highly educated, motivated, and passionate about the sport. This difference in mindset and dedication can hinder the success of automotive companies in Formula 1.
Despite having talented personnel, Alpine has been hindered by long-standing underinvestment by Renault in F1 and underestimation of the time and dedication required. Mistakes with the car, such as failing the side impact test for the chassis and unmet aerodynamic goals, have contributed to Alpine’s struggles this season.
While current team principal Bruno Famin insists that Renault is committed to its F1 team, the real test will come in 2026 with the introduction of new regulations. It remains to be seen if Alpine can overcome their challenges and return to competitiveness in the future.