FeatureF1 Unlocked
ANALYSIS: What the latest in a long line of senior leadership changes means for Alpine
Alpine are going through the wringer again. Following a painful Bahrain Grand Prix weekend – where they locked out the back row of the grid and ended the race out of the points and a lap down – the team have announced a technical restructure, following the resignations of Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer.
The duo were two of the few remaining senior leaders in the team after a cull last year that saw CEO Laurent Rossi, Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry and Sporting Director Alan Permane depart the team.
However, it is understood Harman decided to leave the team last month, once the A524 had been homologated, while De Beer made the call to depart the operation in the week leading up to the season-opener in Bahrain.
Sources say Team Principal Bruno Famin has been mulling a technical restructure – as part of phase two of his rebuild plan, having assumed control last summer as Vice-President of Alpine Motorsports – for the last few weeks. It is likely Harman and De Beer’s respective departures has sped up the implementation.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Feature EXPLAINED: Why F1’s new ‘Learning Sectors’ programme marks an important first for the sport
Feature IN NUMBERS: How Kick Sauber signing Bortoleto’s F2 and F3 career compares to Leclerc, Russell and Piastri
News ‘I had a few moments’ – Alonso opens up on past Red Bull talks and how he could have joined the squad
Podcast F1 NATION: Gabriel Bortoleto on his ‘dream’ F1 chance with Kick Sauber, guidance from Alonso and flying the flag for Brazil