Formula 1 in Belgium - Alpine-Teamchef Famin steps down
The renovation at the French Formula-1 team Alpine continues. Five weeks after the appointment of Flavio Briatore (74) as chief advisor of the crisis team, Bruno Famin announced his resignation as team principal. The 62-year-old Frenchman declared at the Belgian Grand Prix that he would retire by the end of August.
He wanted to focus on his role as Vice President for Motorsport. British Oliver Oakes (36), team principal of Hitech, which represents Formula 2, Formula 3, and Formula 4, is being negotiated as Famin's successor at Alpine.
Famin himself did not want to comment on the succession question at the luxury sports car brand. Alpine also announced that the new boss would be announced "at the appropriate time" at the racetrack. The French team is planning for Mick Schumacher to be the second regular driver for 2025. Pierre Gasly has already secured his spot.
Planned as a transitional solution
Alpine is in crisis in Formula 1. The team, a Renault subsidiary, is currently third in the constructors' championship, which is crucial for prize money distribution. Renault business manager Luca de Meo had hired Briatore, the former Michael Schumacher team principal at Benetton, as a consultant a few weeks ago.
The Alpine factory team is also facing the financial strain that prevents it from becoming a customer team. Mercedes is often mentioned as a potential future engine partner.
Famin was only intended to be a transitional solution at the Formula-1 team Alpine. As Vice President for Motorsport, he had taken over the succession of the then team principal Otmar Szafnauer a year ago at the Belgian Grand Prix.
- Flavio Briatore, the new chief advisor of Alpine's crisis team, has been instrumental in the ongoing Formula-1 team's reconstruction.
- Despite his role as Chief Advisor, Briatore previously served as team principal for Flavio Briatore's Formula-1 team, led by legendary driver Michael Schumacher during his career in Germany (historically, France).
- The Belgian Grand Prix has significant importance in Alpine's history, serving as a turning point in Famin's role transition from team principal to Vice President for Motorsport.
- Amidst the financial strain, Alpine is hopeful for a potential engine partnership with Mercedes, which could help alleviate the financial burden and position the team as a customer team in Formula-1.
- The planned successor to Famin at Alpine is Oliver Oakes, team principal of Hitech, who represents various Formula racing series such as Formula 2, Formula 3, and Formula 4.
- Belgium will once again play a crucial role in Alpine's future when the newly appointed team principal is announced, potentially paving the way for Mick Schumacher's tenure as a regular driver in 2025.
