Two key figures from Alpine’s technical team have departed following the team’s disappointing start to the new season. Technical director Matt Harman, who recently introduced the team’s new A524 chassis, and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer have both left their roles.
Alpine has introduced a new organizational structure for its technical division, appointing three directors who will report directly to team principal Bruno Famin. These directors include Joe Burnell for engineering, David Wheater for aerodynamics, and Ciaron Pilbeam for performance.
The team faced a challenging start to the season, with their cars qualifying on the back row of the grid at the season opener in Bahrain. Despite their efforts, drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finished 17th and 18th respectively in the race.
Famin emphasized the need for changes to improve the team’s competitiveness, stating, “We are not where we want nor need to be in terms of performance level.” He expressed confidence in the new structure, believing it will foster better collaboration and performance across technical areas.
Acknowledging the contributions of Harman and de Beer, Famin thanked them for their efforts and wished them success in their future endeavors.
Alpine has experienced significant turnover in its leadership over the past year, with several key figures departing the team. The changes come amid a period of disappointing results for the team in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, prompting the need for restructuring to address performance challenges.