Alpine engineer explains why their F1 factory looks like a ‘building site’

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Alpine is going through a difficult period off track after another team principal change and uncertainty around the future of their engine project.

Their results on track did pick up before the summer break, with Esteban Ocon achieving his highest finishing position of the season so far in P9 at the Belgian Grand Prix.

They also had a run of double points finishes in Canada and Spain both Ocon and Pierre Gasly, which enabled them to amass 11 points in the Constructors’ Championship.

Now they will be looking to improve their fortunes in the second half of the season under the leadership of new team principal Oliver Oakes, while newly appointed executive technical director David Sanchez has been laying in-rounds since joining in May.

In a recent video on Alpine’s YouTube channel, Sanchez explained how has been working behind the scenes on optimising their latest upgrade packages, while also working on other areas to help improve their performance.

Why Alpine’s F1 factory looks like a ‘building site’

Sanchez joined Alpine following a short three-month stint at McLaren, having worked at Ferrari originally. He replaced technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer, who both resigned at the start of the season.

His responsibility is for the performance engineering and aerodynamic areas of the team, in an attempt to revitalise their fortunes after a poor start to 2024. One of these areas has been a crucial part of their race weekend preparation, which has led to some improvements at their Oxfordshire-based factory.

“One of the biggest focuses is looking inside the team, ensuring we have all the necessary resources to produce a better and better car,” said Sanchez.

“This is why if you go around the site, you see many areas which look like building sites. We’re building a lot rigs and simulators to ensure we have all the resources to materialise all the ideas of engineers around us.”

Alpine future uncertain after sale rumours

With Renault expected to reduce its backing of the F1 project, talk has turned to whether they will continue to have the Alpine brand represented on the grid.

Alpine staff were told categorically that the F1 team is not for sale, however, rumours in the F1 paddock are gathering traction that the sale could likely happen while executive director Flavio Briatore is in charge.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore

Two entities are reportedly working ‘behind closed doors’ in the F1 paddock to buy Alpine, one of which is Hietch which previously had an application to join the grid rejected by the FIA.

The other option would be Andretti, who are considering buying their way onto the grid after being told by F1 they would not be able to enter as a new team for the next two years.