Clean at Alpine: Otmar Szafnauer, Alan Permane are out of the team and also Pat Fry. The rumor was intense since Friday morning in Spa-Francorchamps, it was announced by L’Equipe and confirmed at 2:50 p.m. through an official statement: the ‘main team’ and the sports director will leave the ship “by mutual agreement” (invited to leave) after the Belgian GP. In fact, they are still on the circuit and will work during the weekend with apparent normality. The third in question, Fry, confirms his departure because he will be the next technical director of Williams.
Szafnauer joined the team 18 months ago to lead it on the track, replacing Budkowski. But after the departure of Laurent Rossi, Alpine’s previous CEO, and the entry of the new CEO, Philippe Krief, the changes have intensified in the house of Enstone and have reached the top. Permane’s case is peculiar, he has spent the last 34 years in the British team under the names of Benetton, Renault, Lotus and Alpine. “The team thanks Alan and leaves him the best for the future.”
Bruno Famin, Alpine’s vice president responsible for competition, will be the interim ‘main team’ from the Dutch GP, after the summer holidays. Famin was Peugeot’s top competition officer and FIA director of operations before joining the Renault sports division. Additionally, current academy director Julian Rouse will be the next interim athletic director. In turn, British engineer Matt Harman will lead the technical team at the factory.
Almost a year ago, Alonso left the Alpine ship and signed for Aston Martin. It was the fourth team in the World Cup, but the renewal offer that never came and the wrong decisions by Rossi, Szafnauer and company invited him to leave and look for another kind of project. Fernando’s decision, judging by the six podium finishes for one and the turnaround for others, could not have been more accurate. Corners are coming in Alpine.