P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine looks further than ever from being able to hit the ambitions Renault has for it in Formula 1. Former team boss Otmar Szafnauer is not surprised
Alpine’s current challenges suggest that it won’t be until 2026, under the new regulations, that the team can hope for significant progress, a promise that has been unfulfilled since Renault re-established its Formula 1 team in 2016. Former team principal Otmar Szafnauer, who departed after the Belgian Grand Prix in the previous season, questions whether the team’s ownership truly comprehends what it takes to succeed in the sport. Szafnauer has been involved in developing EventR, a revolutionary digital itineraries system, during his time away from Alpine, considering a potential return to F1 in the future, with EventR already adopted by multiple F1 teams. His departure, alongside sporting director Alan Permane, signaled a sudden change in direction for the team midway through the 2023 season, mainly due to disagreements regarding the timeline for achieving success, which Szafnauer and Permane believed couldn’t align with Renault’s overly optimistic expectations. The core issue lies in an automotive company not heeding the advice of F1 experts knowledgeable in fostering a successful project, a sentiment shared by former chief technical officer Pat Fry, who criticized Renault for lacking the drive to surpass fourth place. Szafnauer’s observations indicate that major car manufacturers, despite having racing heritage, should refrain from excessive involvement in F1 operations and defer to seasoned specialists for optimal results, recognizing the distinctiveness and complexities of the sport compared to traditional automotive endeavors.