In a surprising turn of events, Alpine announced during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane would be departing the team. Additionally, Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry would be making a move to Williams. These changes have prompted a significant reshuffling of leadership roles within the team.
Bruno Famin, who currently serves as the Vice President of Alpine Motorsports, will be stepping into the position of Interim Team Principal starting from the Dutch Grand Prix. Famin will be working closely with the newly appointed CEO Philippe Krief, while Laurent Rossi has been assigned to "special projects."
As part of the management restructuring, Julian Rouse, the current Alpine Academy Director, has been named Interim Sporting Director. Meanwhile, Matt Harman has taken charge of the technical team at Enstone, with both Rouse and Harman reporting to Famin.
In a recent interview on the F1 Nation podcast, Famin shed light on the changes and outlined his priorities as the Interim Team Principal. He emphasized the importance of effective communication and ensuring that everyone within the team is aligned and motivated.
Famin stated, "Job number one is to talk to the staff, to all the people on the staff, to share what is going on, to explain what is going on, and to make sure that everybody's onboard. We need all the energies, we need everybody onboard."
Acknowledging the challenges of disseminating information to the entire team, Famin expressed his intention to visit the Enstone factory and provide explanations, answer questions, and address any concerns. This open and transparent approach aims to foster a sense of unity and collaboration within the team.
When questioned about the timeline for appointing a new permanent Team Principal and Chief Technical Officer, Famin emphasized that Alpine would not rush the decision-making process. He highlighted the need for a thorough assessment of the situation before making any further changes.
"There is no timeline because I think we need to assess really what is the situation," Famin explained. "We will not wait for the full assessments for moving things because we need to improve from one race to another, step by step."
Famin's focus is on implementing a culture of constant improvement within the team. He expressed confidence in Matt Harman's ability to manage the technical team effectively and praised Julian Rouse for his innovative ideas on the sporting side. Famin intends to share these ideas with the staff, indicating that he trusts their capabilities.
Regarding the Team Principal position, Famin revealed that he would assume the role for the time being. He emphasized that there is no rush to make a decision and that he would carefully consider the best course of action.
Alpine's deliberate approach to leadership changes reflects their commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining stability within the team. By prioritizing effective communication, gradual improvement, and trust in the existing staff, Alpine aims to build a strong foundation for future success.
