Home

F1

“A Joke of a Team”: F1 Twitter Slams Esteban Ocon & Co. As Alpine Boss Keeps the “100 Race” Broken Record Going

Published 05/17/2023, 6:30 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

The Alpine Camp has been the subject of numerous headlines in recent days. The team, in particular, has had a difficult start to the season, with only 14 points collected after missing some of the significant developments prior to the season’s start. That dismal performance has led the team’s CEO to criticize the team publicly. As a result of its poor performance, the CEO of the team openly criticized Esteban Ocon and Co. Since Alpine failed to perform well and didn’t succeed in giving the top three teams a real battle, fans are already criticizing the French squad for failing to live up to their ambitious “100 Race” objectives. What is the “100 race plan?”

According to Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, The Enstone team must be competitive in the most elite division of motorsport after 100 races. When Renault regained ownership of the team in 2016, they made a five-year strategy to advance the team to the point where they could compete with the top three of the sport.

However, the re-badged Alpine failed to achieve the set objectives. The Enstone-based organization then started a 100 Race program again last year, which has now completed the first quarter. The fans have grown impatient as the 100 Race plan has dragged on. Otmar Szafnauer, however, appeared in the media and provided a plausible defense.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Otmar Szafnauer describes what the existing plans cover amid the belief that more personnel and infrastructure are needed to make the plan reality. He went on to explain that the strategy that was implemented included tools like Simulators and new software. As per race, the Alpine team boss said, “There’s around 75 races [left in the plan]. It’s three and a half years. And within that three and a half years, you get a new simulator, you get a new head of simulation, you get a new [software] system. They are things to come. Once they come then we’ll take those steps.”

The fans, who have over the years only watched their favorite team get mired in the midfield fight, didn’t take his optimism well. As a result, fans’ diverse reactions have flooded the Twitter comments area.

F1 fans on Twitter attack Otmar Szafnauer for failing to fulfill the promise

By the end of 2020, it appeared that Renault was not content with mediocrity and, under the direction of Luca de Meo and Laurent Rossi, the team’s organizational structure was changed. Abiteboul was removed, and Alpine was established. Otmar Szafnauer was brought in by the Alpine squad in 2022 to aid in the rise, but he hasn’t had the kind of influence yet that was expected.

All the structural changes, though, failed to help the squad succeed. And considering the team’s disappointing streak from last year, which has finally driven the supporters insane, continues this year, here are a few responses.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest F1 stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

While mocking the Enstone team, several of them even brought up the most recent Laurent Rossi criticism.

 

Amidst the mockery, fans were also seen giving their suggestions to the team.

 

WATCH THIS STORY: How Do Sprint Races Work at an F1 Grand Prix?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

 

As time goes on, every team is introducing upgrades. So, do you believe Alpine would be able to provide such a modification to its A523 to compete with Mercedes and Ferrari?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Aditya Srivastava

738Articles

One take at a time

Aditya Srivastava is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports with over two years of writing experience. He developed a keen interest in the sport after the unforgettable Abu Dhabi 2021 race. As a graduate of a premier institute, Aditya is committed to producing high-quality content that is engaging, informative, and accurate.
Show More>

Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai