Unconcerned About Alpine’s Unsteady Ship, Boss Otmar Szafnauer Puts on Blinkers to Achieve Promised Target

Published 07/26/2023, 5:45 AM EDT

Remember how Laurent Rossi advised that he wants Alpine to finish at least 4th in constructors this year, the same position that Alpine finished last year? Alas, Rossi isn’t the CEO anymore and it looks like his vision has also been shifted, just like he has been. Otmar Szafnauer shifts his focus on the long-term goal as Alpine’s ship, in recent times, faces wobbling issues. What is the promised target?

Alpine’s season so far is nothing to write home about with more lows than highs for the team. The podium in Monaco was their highest point. The podium came right after Laurent Rossi publicly reprimanded the team. However, Rossi is no longer the CEO of Alpine and will be taking care of their special projects. Also, Alpine’s performances in the last couple of races have been dismal as both cars DNF from both races.

Nonetheless, the Alpine Team Principal seems to be unfazed by Alpine’s wobbly ship. Otmar Szafnauer, despite the poor form, still has his eyes on Alpine’s long-term goal, i.e. to start winning within 5 seasons. Luca De Meo, the CEO of the Renault Group, has been heavily involved in this F1. Luca gave Otmar Szafnauer 100 races to start achieving results at the top.

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According to Motorsport.Nextgen-Auto.com, Otmar Szafnauer said, “The project was that of the 100 Alpine races, and I think we are at about 30 races. So we still have about sixty races to play, which is three more years to start winning. It takes time. It took time for everyone. I know that Luca is a man of his word, and he gave me his word on 100 races to start winning, and sometimes you take a half step back to take two steps forward.” [Translated via Google]

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As Alpine’s under-deliver, Szafnauer suggests that the team has taken half a step in the wrong direction before it took 2 steps in the right direction in the upcoming future. The poor form isn’t a setback but preparation for future gains. As Alpine find prepares to compete with the top team, Szafnauer gives examples of the big teams to justify the time taken by Alpine.

Otmar Szafnauer suggests that Mercedes and Red Bull also took 5 years to reach the top

Mercedes came into existence in 2010 when they acquired the Brawn GP team. After heavily investing in the team, Mercedes finally reaped the results in 2014 when they won their first constructors’ title. Red Bull’s story is quite similar as well where they acquired Jaguar, hired and invested aggressively, and then took about 5 years to become a constructors champion. Otmar Szafnauer expects Alpine’s trajectory to be similar to these teams.

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According to Motorsport.Nextgen-Auto.com, Otmar Szafnauer said, “As you know, Mercedes bought a team that had won the championship, and it took him five years to win it again. Red Bull, who did well, bought Jaguar, which was a mid-board team, and it took him five years to start winning. It seems that this is what it takes, so it’s four to five years. One hundred races is realistic. We are still working on it.” [Translated via Google]

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Do you think within the next 3 years Alpine will be up there challenging the Mercedes, the Red Bull, and the Ferrari for wins?

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Written by:

Pranay Bhagi is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports, who has always been passionate about sports and writing. With a degree from a prestigious institute, he has channeled his enthusiasm into sports journalism, particularly F1, a sport that has captivated him for over a decade. Pranay's deep-rooted love for the sport began during the Sebastian Vettel era, and he has been following it religiously ever since.

Unconcerned About Alpine’s Unsteady Ship, Boss Otmar Szafnauer Puts on Blinkers to Achieve Promised Target

Otmar Szafnauer suggests that Mercedes and Red Bull also took 5 years to reach the top

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