F1 pundits like Eddie Jordan and Peter Windsor have often iterated the importance of having a leadership figure in the lead driver by giving examples of Michael Schumacher. Lewis Hamilton is believed to be one such figure, who keeps pushing his team for better performance and results. This was seen when Hamilton asked Mercedes to scrap the zeropod concept. Cyril Abiteboul now advises that Alpine needs Lewis Hamilton and not Mattia Binotto, as the French stable just lost a leader. What did Cyril Abiteboul really mean?

Alpine has been making metamorphic changes in recent times. Not with their performances, but with their management. Earlier it was Laurent Rossi who was removed from the position of CEO, and now Otmar Szafnauer, who’s been sacked mid-season by the French team. As a result, Bruno Famin has taken up the role on an interim basis, with Alpine searching for a new permanent Team Principal.

Mattia Binotto’s name has been linked to Alpine ever since Szafnauer was sacked. It is believed that the former Ferrari manager might be hired as the new Alpine TP. However, Cyril Abiteboul, former Managing Director of Renault F1 Team, reveals that it is not Mattia Binotto that Alpine needs but a driver like Lewis Hamilton who will act like a team leader and give direction to Alpine. 

According to GPBlog.com, Cyril Abiteboul, speaking with France info, said, “Two names is one too many. Close your eyes and think of Mercedes. Then you think of Lewis Hamilton, even though Nico Rosberg has done extraordinary things.” He then added “There has to be a driver who is something like the team leader, that is fundamental. Right now the grid is extremely competitive, all the cars finish on the same lap. Soon the cars will be almost equal [in terms of strength]. Then ambition and determination will make the difference.”

Shrugging off $3,000,000 Complications, Mattia Binotto Accepts Alpine’s Offer to Succeed Otmar Szafnauer

It is true that the cars are getting closer in terms of lap time with the exception of Red Bull, who are far ahead. A driver like Lewis Hamilton with more than a decade of experience in F1 can make a lot of change in such situations. But how are F1 teams getting so close?

How is the performance gap between the teams coming down?

The new ground effect rules were introduced to promote closer racing. Red Bull has come out on top with their philosophy, but other teams are now catching up. As we’ve seen in the past, teams usually converge on a similar philosophy of design, usually the fastest one after a couple of years of the introduction of new rules. McLaren seems to be following the Red Bull route with their new upgrades that have made them arguably the second fastest car. 

Aston Martin seems to be a mix of Ferrari and Red Bull’s philosophy with components from Mercedes. The midfielders and backmarkers also seem to be taking inspiration from the top teams. With the Cost Cap in place, the top teams cannot spend the hundreds of millions that they used to do to gain a competitive edge. The field getting closer is a cumulative result of all of this. 

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What do you think? Will Alpine go ahead and sign an experienced driver for the above-mentioned leadership role?