Alpine: “We have to find solutions to quickly fix our level of performance” as F1 season resumes

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Bruno Famin, the interim team principal of Alpine F1 Team has admitted that the French outfit’s results need to improve during the second half of the season.

Alpine lost two key figures during last month’s Belgian Grand Prix weekend, including team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane.

Famin is taking charge of the team for the first time at Zandvoort and delved into their goals for the remainder of 2023

“In terms of end objectives, we will not place any figures or numbers. So far this season, results have not been in line with expectations, and we have to find solutions to quickly fix our level of performance.”

The Enstone-based outfit sits sixth in the Constructors’ standings after being leapfrogged by McLaren and Aston Martin over the past year.

An Alpine car being driven at Zandvoort in 2022 with the right side tyres on the kerb.
Photo credit: Alpine F1 Team

Alpine lost their star driver Fernando Alonso and highly rated 2021 Formula 2 champion Oscar Piastri in 2022 and had to watch the pair thrive at their new teams.

Esteban Ocon performed admirably in Monaco to finish in third place, providing a morale-boosting moment for the team.

Famin said results like that have to be used positively throughout the final 10 races of the season.

“We’ve demonstrated what we can achieve – for example, Esteban’s podium in Monaco, Pierre’s third place in the Sprint in Spa – and we have to take these moments as a source of motivation with the aim of finding repeat levels of performance.

“The sole and immediate expectation is that everyone involved in the team continues working hard across all areas. We have ten races remaining to turn things around and I have every confidence that all members of the team will give it their all to achieve it.”

Alpine has scored just four points in the last three races and suffered a double non-finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Despite the disappointing run of form, Famin is keen to stick with the team’s original goals and sees the Dutch Grand Prix as a new beginning.

“Clearly, the weeks leading up to the break were not easy for everyone at the team. It’s important now for us to keep our heads down, work hard collectively on improving all areas and aim for our results on track to underline our ambitions.

“There is no change to the team’s strategy or objectives, only a change in some personnel as outlined before the break. Zandvoort is an exciting fresh start for all of us and I’m sure everyone at the team is ready for the challenge.”