Otmar Szafnauer fired from Alpine after the Belgian Grand Prix

Thunderclap at Spa. As the only free practice session of the weekend was coming to an end, the newspaper ‘L’Equipe’ announced that Alpine’s team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane have been let go by the French team. Canal Plus confirmed the information, before the official announcement came from Alpine shortly after 3 p.m. Pat Fry, the technical director of the Franco-British team, will join the Williams team.

“Otmar will continue his normal duties for this weekend’s race in Belgium, before leaving the team before the summer break,” Alpine writes in a statement. “The team would like to thank Otmar for his hard work over the past 18 months and for leading the team to fourth place in the constructors’ championship in 2022. The team wishes him all the best for the future.” This was a mutual agreement.

The team also confirmed that they will part ways with Alan Permane “by mutual agreement”, here as well. “Alan will also continue his role this weekend in Belgium before leaving before the summer break. After 34 distinguished years in Enstone, the team extends its thanks to Alan and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.”

Bruno Famin, vice-president of Alpine Motorsports, will assume the role of interim team principal starting from the Dutch Grand Prix. Julian Rouse, the current director of the Alpine Academy, has been appointed as interim sporting director, and Matt Harman will lead the technical team in Enstone.

So, the entire management is changing at Alpine, after the dismissal of Laurent Rossi, who is now the former CEO of Alpine, a week ago. Let’s remember that it is the French Philippe Krief who is taking his place. We can clearly feel the desire for change from Luca De Meo, CEO of Renault since the fall of 2020.

The announcement is particularly surprising for Alan Permane, who had been present at the Enstone factory since 1989.