Alpine is on the brink of a significant overhaul as the French racing team prepares to sever its long-standing partnership with Renault and transition to Mercedes power units. The news, confirmed by former legal manager Pierre Chauty in a critical LinkedIn post, marks a pivotal moment for the Enstone-based outfit.
Persistent rumors of Renault’s departure from Formula 1, intensified by the underperformance of their turbo-hybrid engine since its introduction in 2014, have finally reached a boiling point. Should the French manufacturer indeed pull the plug, it would signal the end of an era spanning over four decades and lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs at the Viry-Châtillon engine facility.
This isn’t the first time Alpine, formerly known as Lotus, has relied on customer engines. A previous collaboration with Mercedes in 2015 yielded mixed results, with a podium finish overshadowed by the team’s financial struggles.
Renault’s decision to terminate employment for its engine base staff by the end of 2024 has ignited controversy. The announcement, delivered without CEO Luca De Meo’s presence, has been labeled as cowardly and indicative of a shirking of responsibility. Despite public denials of selling the team amidst multiple offers, De Meo faces increasing scrutiny as the company grapples with challenges.
Former CEO Laurent Rossi has also been implicated in the downturn, accused of creating a hostile work environment through arbitrary dismissals and a disregard for ethical principles. These actions are alleged to have precipitated a significant exodus of talent, exacerbating Alpine’s decline and fostering internal unrest.
Laurent Rossi’s tenure as CEO was characterized by a series of high-profile dismissals, including those of key management figures and the team’s reserve driver.
His ambitious vision for the brand, which included an aggressive expansion into the American market, was abruptly halted by his departure. This leadership upheaval has had a profound impact on the Formula 1 team, triggering a cascade of changes within the management structure.
The loss of critical technical personnel, coupled with the growing discontent among the workforce, threatens to undermine the team’s performance and potentially cripple its operations. The situation at Alpine is a stark illustration of the perils of unchecked executive turnover and its detrimental effects on a complex organization.
