Alpine Formula 1 boss Bruno Famin has revealed that the team has brought its next upgrades to this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix one round earlier than planned.
The Enstone-based squad entered 2024 expecting to be on the back foot amid its transition to a revised car concept to counter the regression it endured last season.
However, Famin has admitted it was a shock when both cars ended on the last row of the grid in Bahrain and it has been unable to land a point in the first four races.
Alpine has been combating an uncompetitive and overweight A524 charger, with the team introducing updates at the last round to enhance aero and cut excess bulk.
Famin has asserted that both factories are pushing flat out to ensure Alpine turns around its bleak prospects, with more developments in the pipeline coming in China.
“We are pushing, we are pushing as much as we can in both factories,” Famin said at Suzuka.
“In Viry, for the energy management, which is the only way where we can find performance by regulation.
“And in Enstone, of course, mainly on the aero and the tyre understanding developments. We are pushing hard for developing that car.”
Famin said Alpine intended to introduce more upgrades in Miami next month but that has been accelerated to enable one driver to receive the upgrades in Shanghai.
“The team has been working extremely hard and we have been able to bring an upgrade to one car this weekend, one race earlier than planned,” Famin disclosed.
Alpine’s disastrous opening to the campaign witnessed both Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer handing in their resignations.
The Anglo-French marque has pivoted to a three-pronged technical structure, which has drawn inspiration from the change that inspired McLaren’s revival last term.
Famin, who is now in his current position on a permanent basis, has disclosed that he is striving to overhaul the mindset of Alpine’s whole underperforming operation.
“The role is to restructure the team,” he said. “I was in Viry for the two last years. Now I am in Enstone and we need to really change the way we are working in order to develop better our car. To be more agile, to be more efficient. Then there’s a lot to do.
“We have started to make some changes in our technical organisation, as you have seen in the last weeks. And my role is putting everything together, changing what we need to change.
“Of course, to change the mindset of the guys, to have the motivation of all the staff. but also having a better process and a better organisation.”
Discussion about this post