Alpine in ‘no hurry’ to secure new Team Principal after sweeping management changes

Bruno Famin, Alpine’s incoming Interim Team Principal, has expanded on the recent leadership reshuffle at the outfit and says there is “no hurry” to make new appointments.

Over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, it was confirmed by Alpine that Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane would be leaving the operation, with Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry making the switch to Williams.

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Famin, Vice President of Alpine Motorsports, is set to assume the role of Interim Team Principal from the Dutch Grand Prix. He will work alongside new CEO Philippe Krief, with Laurent Rossi recently moved to “special projects”.

Other adjustments saw current Alpine Academy Director Julian Rouse named Interim Sporting Director, while Matt Harman now heads up the technical team at Enstone – both men reporting to Famin.

Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Famin took a moment to reflect on the changes and discuss what ‘job number one’ would be when he steps through the factory doors at Enstone and Viry-Chatillon in his temporary position.

“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,” he said. “We need all the energies, we need everybody onboard.

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“Of course, for all the guys, it’s a bit difficult to get all the information. I’m going to Enstone to share this information, the explanation, to answer questions, with all the staff in Enstone.”

As for when a new, permanent Team Principal is set to be appointed, along with a Chief Technical Officer following Fry’s aforementioned move, Famin explained that Alpine will not rush their decision-making.

“There is no timeline, because I think we need to assess really what is the situation,” the Frenchman commented. “We will not wait for the full assessments for moving things, because we need to improve from one race to another, step by step.

“What I would like to introduce is constant improvement in the team. For example, you mentioned Pat, Matt Harman is doing a very good job. I fully trust Matt, he’s managing the full technical team, then there is no hurry in replacing anybody on the technical side.

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“On the sporting side, I fully trust as well Julian Rouse. I think he has very good ideas. I’m going to share with the staff, that’s why I cannot comment on it now here.

“As far as the Team Principal function is concerned, for the time being I’m going to do it, I will think about it, and I will decide. But there is no hurry, we can manage it.”