A double DNF in the British Grand Prix helped the resurgent McLaren leapfrog it for fifth in the constructors’ championship, as it faces an increasingly tough battle in the ultra-close midfield.
And things have not been easy off track either, with the Enstone-based squad having been on the receiving end of criticisms from CEO Laurent Rossi at the Miami Grand Prix over what he felt had been “unacceptable” and “amateurish” performances.
So the decision to move Alpine’s F1 engine chief Bruno Famin into a newly created role as VP of Alpine Motorsports – in charge of all its competition activities – has inevitably raised some eyebrows.
But rather than it be some knee-jerk reaction to its F1 performance, or a bit of a political manoeuvring, instead the reasoning behind Famin’s move is quite simple.
It is about Rossi realising he cannot give Alpine’s motorsport programmes the full attention needed if the French manufacturer is going to achieve its targets in the automotive sector.
So in shifting Famin to a more senior role, with F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer reporting to him now rather than Rossi, it means that Alpine has someone able to give both the grand prix team and its other motorsport ventures the level of focus required.
Speaking to Autosport about the new structure, Famin said: “The change has nothing to do with the current situation with the F1 team. It has to do with the brand itself, and the ambitious goals we have in terms of developing the brand, in terms of new products, road cars, and in terms of new territories.
“We have made some big announcements with new investors, for example, and the brand and the company are developing very well and very fast.
“I think Laurent Rossi realised that he needed to be more dedicated to that path, even if he loves motorsport, and that is his priority.”
Source: Autosport