Former Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer spills the beans on Renault’s surprising decision and its massive funding implications.
- Szafnauer claims Renault overrode his move, costing up to ‘$15 million’ in potential funds.
- Alpine has been undergoing major shake-ups, with key figures resigning and new leaders stepping in.
- Szafnauer shares his frustration over not seeing his projects through, including missed recruitments.
- He highlights that top talent leaving the team is a sign of deeper issues at Alpine.
Otmar Szafnauer, former Alpine principal, revealed that he was ‘overridden’ by Renault on a decision that could have unlocked up to ‘$15 million’ in funds.
Szafnauer expressed his dismay over not being able to see his plans through, mentioning that many talented individuals he had recruited decided not to join after he left.
During the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix, Szafnauer was shown the door, and since then, Alpine has seen significant changes, including resignations of key personnel.
A major shift was announced at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix, with Bruno Famin stepping down and Oliver Oakes taking over, as Alpine transitions to customer team status from F1 2026.
Szafnauer mentioned in the James Allen on F1 podcast that Alpine’s composite design and strategy chiefs have recently resigned, further destabilizing the team.
He noted that convincing mid-level engineers, where performance truly originates, was a part of his strategy, but Renault’s intervention halted his progress.
Szafnauer was particularly frustrated about losing a ‘cost cap architect,’ who had the potential to unlock significant funds for the team, to a rival team.
He pointed out that such resets within the team take time to recover and that the departure of experienced professionals indicates underlying issues at Alpine.
Alpine sits at P8 in the current F1 2024 Constructors’ Championship standings with 11 points scored, showing a challenging season for the team.
Szafnauer’s revelations highlight the turbulent times at Alpine and the ongoing struggles the team faces.
Source: Planetf1
