Alpine announces new F1 team boss
The Alpine team announces the appointment of Steve Nielsen as Managing Director, as well as other recruitments to senior positions.
The BWT Alpine F1 team officially announced this Thursday the appointment of Steve Nielsen as the managing director.
A not-so-unknown boss of the paddock
Iconic figure of the paddock, Steve Nielsen will take up his duties from September 1st, just before the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, and will be responsible for overseeing daily operations at the Enstone factory, under the direction of Flavio Briatore.
« Steve Nielsen will join the team as general manager », Alpine stated in their press release. « Under the supervision of Flavio Briatore, Nielsen will take charge of the team’s daily management at Enstone. »
This arrival marks a return to the roots for Steve Nielsen, who has previously worked several times in the team under its former names Benetton and Renault. He notably held the position of sporting director during the glorious years of 2005 and 2006, when the team won its two world titles with Fernando Alonso.
« It is a return to the team for Nielsen, one of the sport’s most enduring and respected figures, » highlights Alpine, recalling his central role in past successes.
Since his initial stint at Enstone, Steve Nielsen has gained numerous experiences with other F1 teams, as well as within the FIA and Formula One Management (FOM), where he led sporting operations. He was notably a key figure in the resumption of Grand Prix races during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Changes within the team
But Alpine does not stop there. The tricolore team has also strengthened its technical and commercial teams with other high-level recruitments.
Kris Midgley has been appointed as the head of aerodynamic development. A former member of the Enstone team between 2007 and 2013, he returns after a stint at Ferrari, where he held the position of principal aerodynamicist. He will report directly to David Sanchez, executive technical director.
« Midgley is another key recruitment, strengthening the technical department as the 2026 regulatory era approaches, full of opportunities, » notes the team.
Finally, Guy Martin is appointed global marketing director. He comes from Visa, where he played a key role in the company’s sponsorship strategy, working with major partners such as Visa CashApp Racing Bulls, FIFA, the Olympic Games, Formula E, and the NFL.
« In his previous role, Guy also introduced new strategic areas such as music and gaming to reach a broader audience and increase fan engagement », the statement specifies.
With these reinforcements, Alpine demonstrates its willingness to reorganize in depth to reconnect with performance and establish itself as a lasting force on the Formula 1 grid.
