Former Alpine Formula 1 team boss Otmar Szafnauer has criticized Renault's senior management for their lack of understanding of what it takes to be successful in the series. Szafnauer departed the team after the Belgian Grand Prix along with sporting director Alan Permane. Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was also moved aside by Renault CEO Luca de Meo.
According to Szafnauer, the Renault management's desire for instant success and their unrealistic timelines were a major point of contention. He stated, "They wanted to do it faster than is possible and I couldn't agree to an unrealistic timeline because if you do that, it's only a matter of time and everyone gets frustrated."
Luca De Meo, Alpine - Foto LiveMedia/Xavi Bonilla/DPPI
Szafnauer also highlighted Renault's lack of patience when it came to his recruitment plans. He explained that when he started at Alpine 18 months ago, he found several gaps in the Enstone team's knowledge. To address this, he intended to attract staff from rival teams, who are typically on long-term contracts. However, this process takes time, and Renault's lack of understanding of the lead times involved prevented him from executing his plans effectively.
"There are pockets of the organization that the skill level is at a very elementary level and that's because the people they have there were college graduates, for example, as opposed to somebody with 25 years of knowledge," Szafnauer said. "It was in those areas that I started to recruit, but the best in Formula 1 are usually on long-term contracts, at least three years."
He further explained that while he was able to convince people to join Alpine in the areas that needed strengthening, their arrival was staggered, with some coming in 2023, others in mid-2024, and a few in 2025. Szafnauer emphasized the need for understanding and patience, stating, "Sometimes you take a half step backwards to take two steps forward. And they just didn't have that understanding."
Szafnauer also expressed his frustration with the interference from the Renault group, describing it as "more than I've ever seen before." Various departments, such as commercial, marketing, HR, finance, and communication, did not report directly to him but to his superiors. He compared the situation to a navy, saying, "They all act like a Navy, and we have to be pirates in order to win."
He further explained the challenges of working within such a system, particularly with regards to hiring new personnel. In Formula 1, quick decision-making is crucial, and delays in contract negotiations can result in losing out on top talent. Szafnauer emphasized the need for agility and efficiency in the hiring process, stating, "If it takes you two weeks, maybe that special hire went somewhere else. You've got to be pirates."
Overall, Szafnauer's remarks shed light on the difficulties and frustrations he faced during his tenure at Alpine. The clash between his realistic approach to achieving success and Renault's desire for instant results, coupled with the interference from the Renault group, created significant challenges for the team. Szafnauer's departure highlights the need for a cohesive and patient approach from senior management in order to build a successful Formula 1 team.
