F1: Alpine is already reviewing its copy after the first failed Grand Prix season and announces several “organizational changes”

After disappointing results in Bahrain during the first race weekend (Esteban Ocon finished 17th, Pierre Gasly 18th), the French team is carrying out a major overhaul of its technical management.

Alpine is already making several changes to its management, after the first Bahrain GP, ​​which looked like a defeat – although not surprisingly. The Groupe Renault brand announces, in a press release published on Monday, March 4, the creation “three specialized technical posts (…) that will replace the previous structure under one technical director”.

This decision, motivated “inperiod of disappointing results” and the technical team “is missing several key goals in his ambitions to fight at the front”, should allow the French team to progress this season, and above all to return to efficient work with an eye on the design of the next liveries. These changes followed the first reorganization in the summer of 2023. Recruits have already been found: “The team announces“Joe Burnell as Technical Director (Engineering), David Wheater as Technical Director (Aerodynamics) and Ciaron Pilbeam as Technical Director (Performance) have been appointed.”

After finishing the 2023 season sixth in the manufacturers’ standings, the Renault Group marque saw its two French drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, finish 17th and 18th at the Bahrain Grand Prix on Saturday. Two drivers even took the last two places on the starting grid at the end of qualifying.

“Not where we want or need to be in terms of performance”

“We clearly see that we are not where we want or need to be in terms of performance, explains Alpine Team Director Bruno Famin. It is time to take the next step in organizational and human terms. This new three-pillar structure, with three technical directors, each specializing in different areas, will bring better work and better collaboration.”

Two team managers, who partly designed the A524, an unsatisfactory car at the start of the season, are leaving the team at the same time: “Matt Harman, technical director of BWT Alpine F1 Team, and Dirk de Beer, head of aerodynamics, have decided to leave the team to take on new challenges”, Alpine announces at the end of its press release. The second Grand Prix of the season takes place this weekend in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), where Alpine finished 8th and 9th last season.