Alpine’s latest addition to their team is David Sanchez, who recently left the McLaren Formula 1 team after a short stint with Ferrari. This move comes as a surprise, considering that Alpine had previously committed to a three-person technical leadership setup. However, the departures of technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer forced Alpine to rethink their strategy. Despite these changes, Alpine has struggled in the 2024 season and has yet to score a point.
In an attempt to improve their performance, Alpine announced a “new three-pillared approach” in March. This included Joe Burnell as technical director for engineering, David Wheater as technical director for aerodynamics, and Ciaron Pilbeam as technical director for performance. The goal was to enhance collaboration and deliver better results on and off the track. However, the availability of Sanchez led to a change in plans.
Alpine has now appointed Sanchez as their executive technical director, a position that surpasses the roles of Burnell, Wheater, and Pilbeam. Team principal Bruno Famin believes that Sanchez’s appointment is crucial in optimizing the team’s performance. Famin acknowledges that Alpine has not progressed as expected and hopes that Sanchez’s expertise will help them unlock their potential.
Sanchez, who began his F1 career with Renault in 2005, is excited about the opportunity to improve Alpine’s on-track performance. He acknowledges the challenge ahead but finds motivation in such endeavors. Unlike his role at McLaren, where he felt restricted, the position at Alpine offers Sanchez the seniority he desires.
Sanchez’s time at McLaren was marked by changes in the technical leadership structure. Initially, he was expected to be a traditional technical director. However, McLaren adopted a three-person plan that altered his responsibilities. This shift may have contributed to Sanchez’s dissatisfaction and the feeling that he was too senior for the role assigned to him.
It is possible that McLaren’s complex technical leadership structure, with multiple key figures holding significant roles, limited Sanchez’s influence and scope. He may have felt that his envisioned role had been diluted or redirected. Ultimately, Sanchez’s departure from McLaren and move to Alpine allows him to operate above the structure that he found incompatible.
The task ahead for Sanchez at Alpine is substantial, as the team has been underperforming in the 2024 season. However, his new position provides him with the opportunity to play to his strengths and make a significant impact.