Former Alpine Formula 1 chief Otmar Szafnauer has criticized his successor Bruno Famin for his lack of knowledge regarding the team’s current difficulties. Szafnauer and Sporting Director Alan Permane left Alpine last summer due to a disagreement about the realistic timeline for achieving success in F1. Under Szafnauer’s leadership, the Enstone-based team finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022, but it had dropped to sixth by the time he departed. However, Alpine’s situation has deteriorated since then, with a revamped car design resulting in an overweight and uncompetitive A524 that has failed to score any points. In an interview with F1.com, Famin suggested that Szafnauer should take responsibility for the current car, stating that “the car we have now is the result of previous management.” Szafnauer, however, disputes this claim, arguing that he and Permane had minimal influence on the car’s development due to their early departure. He explained that the limited resources and time constraints meant that most of the team’s efforts were focused on the current car until the mid-season break, with upgrades being introduced as late as the Singapore Grand Prix in September. Changes to the car for the following year were made after the break, with a focus on aerodynamic improvements. Szafnauer emphasized that the team had already begun working on the next year’s car after his departure in July, and he dismissed the notion that their absence was responsible for the current problems.
In addition to Szafnauer and Permane, who now holds a position at RB, Fry also left his role as Alpine’s Chief Technical Officer to assume the same position at Williams.
The British individual, who has accumulated more than three decades of experience in the sport, criticized the parent Renault board for not maintaining the necessary “enthusiasm” to progress.
When asked if he believed Renault comprehended the requirements for achieving tangible success in the sport, Szafnauer responded: “Based on what I observed, I don’t think so.”
He later added: “It’s not just Renault, but even large car companies, including those with racing in their DNA, should refrain from interfering.
“The differences are significant. Apart from both being referred to as cars and having five wheels, including a steering wheel, everything else is completely distinct.
“While they may be called cars, the technology development, the technology used, the level of engineering involved, and the engineers’ education level are all vastly different.”