Pierre Gasly of the Alpine F1 Team had a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team’s boss, Bruno Famin, expressed his surprise and disappointment at the team’s poor qualifying results. Despite expecting a difficult start to the season due to the team’s decision to overhaul their car, Famin did not anticipate that Gasly and his teammate Esteban Ocon would end up as the slowest drivers on the grid. Famin acknowledged that the team has identified the areas that need improvement and has plans for upgrades in the future. The lack of traction was identified as one of the main issues with the car, particularly evident in the slow corners of the Bahrain circuit.
In a tabloid format, it was announced that Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer had stepped down, as Alpine found themselves at the bottom of the standings. Famin, a representative of the Renault-owned team, stated that their disastrous start to the season confirmed the need for a change in their team, which led to these resignations. Alpine has now restructured its technical organization, adopting a three-pronged structure similar to McLaren’s approach last season when they faced their own struggles.
Famin explained the reasoning behind this decision, emphasizing the desire to bring the successes achieved on the track side to the factories. This includes changing the mindset, fostering creativity, and promoting a more horizontal and agile organization. The aim is to develop the talented individuals within the team and allow them to contribute their maximum potential to the project and the company as a whole.
Famin is confident that the revamped car concept at Alpine holds untapped potential, which will lead to improvements before the 2026 regulation overhaul. When asked about the focus of these revisions, he stated that it is both short-term and future-oriented. The new car, A524, already possesses potential, but there is also a need to change their approach in developing and racing the car. The knowledge and experience gained from A524 will be invaluable in the development of the A526, the car for the 2026 season.