Alpine has ousted its long-serving operations director Rob White amidst a significant team shake-up. White, who joined the Enstone-based squad in 2016, has been a staple in their operations but is now departing as part of a broader strategy to revive the team’s dwindling performance this season.
Rob White’s tenure at Alpine, which began in 2016, has seen him at the forefront of the team’s operations. Prior to this, he was deeply involved with Renault’s powertrain division in Viry-Chatillon as the deputy managing director. His journey in motorsport also includes a notable stint with Cosworth’s F1 engine project and a role as chief engineer when Ford owned the British firm.
Despite his contributions, Alpine’s struggles this season were undeniable, securing a mere two points in the first eight races. The team confirmed White’s departure, thanking him for his efforts at both Enstone and Viry-Chatillon, where he notably led the championship-winning engine project in 2005 and 2006.
Team principal Bruno Famin, who stepped into the role on an interim basis last year, has been at the helm of these changes. Following the exits of technical director Matt Harman and chief aerodynamicist Dirk de Beer, Famin introduced a new three-pronged technical structure to address the A524 chassis’s performance issues, including a revised chassis build to shed an extra 10kg.
Although Alpine kicked off 2023 as a top-five contender, Aston Martin and McLaren have since outpaced them, pushing Alpine to a sixth-place finish in the constructors’ championship. Famin’s restructured leadership now includes Joe Burnell as the technical director of engineering, David Wheater for aerodynamics, and Ciaron Pilbeam for performance, all reporting to David Sanchez, the new executive technical director from McLaren.
During the Monaco Grand Prix, Alpine managed to score their second point of the season thanks to Pierre Gasly. However, the race wasn’t without drama as Esteban Ocon collided with Gasly on the opening lap, nearly causing a double retirement. A red flag allowed Gasly’s car to be repaired, although Ocon’s vehicle sustained unfixable damage. Famin expressed his frustration and hinted at consequences for Ocon.
Alpine’s management shake-up is a clear effort to claw back their competitive edge. As the team navigates these turbulent changes, the Formula 1 community watches closely to see if these strategic moves will pay off. Whether these adjustments will translate into better performances on the track remains to be seen.
Rob White’s departure marks another chapter in Alpine’s ongoing efforts to restructure and rebound in the highly competitive world of Formula 1. As new leaders take the helm, only time will tell if these changes will propel Alpine back to the forefront of the sport.
Source: Motorsport
