Bruno Famin: The Alpine team is “absolutely not for sale” / Formula 1

Alpine is at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season with no points. The car’s performance this season consistently showed in some tests that it was worse than last year. While other teams have moved forward, the Alpine team is struggling on its own.

After a lackluster first race, murmurs began in the paddock: How long will parent company Renault keep doing this? Is there a threat to leave or sell?

Alpine team boss Bruno Famin now gives a clear statement to formula1.com: “We have the full support of the senior management. The team is not for sale at all. We will continue to work to achieve our goals.”

The Frenchman, who was previously interim team boss after parting ways with Otmar Szafnauer, but has now taken over the position permanently, continues: “We have a real project with Alpine. Our project is to raise the awareness of the Alpine brand worldwide through motorsport and especially in Formula 1.

Alpine is a sports car brand owned by the Renault Group. At the start of the 2021 season, the former Renault F1 team was rebranded in Formula 1 and has since competed as Alpine. Since this year, Alpine has also been participating in the WEC, among other events.

But no success in Formula 1 so far. Instead, the team is making a name for itself through multiple personnel changes. In addition to Szafnauer, CEO Laurent Rossi, chief technology officer Pat Fry, sporting director Alan Permane and consultant Alain Prost have also left the team in recent months. At the beginning of this season this year it became official: technical director Matt Harman and flight boss Dirk de Beer are also leaving.

Famin, who worked at the FIA ​​before joining Alpine: “It’s not a happy time. We’re not where we want to be when it comes to performance. We’re not making this project 15 or 16. We want to be at the front, develop the performance of the car and compete for podiums and victories as soon as possible.

The road is now very long…

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Bulls Racing, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0