New Alpine F1 team chief explains performance concern behind Otmar Szafnauer axe

28 July 2023 , 14:37

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Otmar Szafnauer will leave Alpine after the Belgian Grand Prix (Image: Getty Images)

Alpine axed Otmar Szafnauer over differences of opinion regarding a realistic timeframe for the team's future ambitions, his temporary successor has said.

Szafnauer joined the Enstone team ahead of the 2022 season and guided them to fourth place in his maiden campaign. But Alpine have struggled so far this year and sit sixth in the constructors' standings.

The team announced on Friday that Szafnauer has agreed to leave his post. And sporting director Alan Permane, who has been working at Enstone for 34 years, will be following him out the exit door.

They will fulfil their roles at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix before departing in the summer break. Alpine's VP of motorsport, Bruno Famin, will take interim charge of the team at next month's Dutch Grand Prix.

He spoke to reporters at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday and was asked for more detail about the big change. In response, he gave some brief insight into the differences of opinion which have caused the split.

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"With Otmar and with Alan, it's the same," said Famin. "They are great people and we really thank them for all they brought to the team. It was a very long time for Alan, 34 years in Enstone, and more recently with Otmar. He secured fourth place in the championship last year, which was a good achievement.

"We were not on the same line in regard to the timeline to recover and to reach the level of performance we are aiming for. Mutually, we agreed to split our ways and that's it."

Interim team principal Bruno Famin explained why Szafnauer will leave the team (Sky Sports)

The team's official statement read: "Otmar will continue his duties as normal for this weekend's race in Belgium, before leaving the team ahead of the summer break. The team would like to thank Otmar for his hard work over the past 18 months and for leading the team in achieving fourth place in the 2022 constructors' championship. The team wishes him the best for the future.

"The team can also confirm it will part ways with Sporting Director Alan Permane by mutual agreement. Alan will also continue his role this weekend in Belgium before departing ahead of the summer break. After 34 distinguished years at Enstone, the team extends its thanks to Alan and wishes him the best in his future endeavours."

They are not the only high-profile departures, as chief technical officer Pat Fry also departs to take up the same role at Williams in November. And all these moves come just a week after Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was removed from that role and replaced by Philippe Krief.

Daniel Moxon