Source – Formula1.com
As they continue to work on their automobile, Alpine’s Executive Technical Director David Sanchez has described in detail how the team hopes to be in a “competitive position” in 2025 and beyond.
The 2024 season began on a challenging note for Alpine, as the team struggled with a disappointing performance at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly found themselves starting from the back of the grid, setting the tone for what seemed like a difficult year ahead. However, as the season has unfolded, the Enstone/Viry outfit has shown signs of improvement. Several top-10 finishes have boosted their position to eighth in the Constructors’ Championship, with 13 points accumulated so far. Despite these strides, Alpine’s focus has increasingly shifted toward sustaining and building on this progress, particularly with an eye on future competitiveness.
Alpine’s Sporting Director, Sanchez, has been at the forefront of this strategic recalibration. In a recent mid-season review, Sanchez reflected on the team’s current standing and the roadmap for future success. “Lately, we have managed to improve the car and our on-track performance,” he noted. “But the crucial question remains: how do we continue to enhance the team and the car to ensure we are competitive this year, next year, and especially from 2026 onwards?”
Sanchez’s remarks underscore a strategic shift within Alpine, emphasizing a clear development plan and sustained focus on long-term goals. The team is working diligently on both the current and next year’s cars, with a clear direction for continued improvement. This plan includes significant advancements in aerodynamics and simulation technologies, promising better performance as the season progresses.
To support these ambitions, Alpine has been investing heavily in new facilities and technical resources. Sanchez highlighted the ongoing construction and upgrades at the team’s site, which have been characterized by the presence of numerous building sites. These upgrades include the development of new rigs and a state-of-the-art simulator. “We’re building quite a lot of rigs, a new simulator, and all this again to ensure we have the resources to materialize all the engineers’ ideas,” Sanchez explained. The goal is to provide the team with the tools necessary to continuously improve their car as they gain more insights.
In addition to these technical developments, Alpine has also seen notable changes in its personnel structure. Oliver Oakes took over as the new Team Principal in August, succeeding Bruno Famin. This change in leadership marks a significant shift for the team as they aim to align their strategies and goals under new management.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Alpine will also introduce a new driver lineup. Reserve driver Jack Doohan is set to make his Formula 1 debut, partnering with the incumbent Pierre Gasly. This change is part of a broader effort to strengthen the team’s competitive edge and capitalize on emerging talent.
As Alpine navigates these transitions and investments, the team’s focus remains on setting a foundation for sustained success. The improvements in performance and the strategic enhancements to their technical resources reflect Alpine’s commitment to becoming a formidable force in Formula 1, with a particular emphasis on making significant strides from 2026 onwards.
