Following the last Grand Prix in Belgium, Alpine F1 has been without a team principal. Bruno Famin is currently in charge after a major reorganization within the French team, which resulted in the departure of Otmar Szafnauer among others.
Binotto the favorite for the team principal position
Motorsport.com Italy reports that Mattia Binotto is the favorite to take over as team principal at Alpine F1. Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group, is said to have put the former Scuderia Ferrari director at the top of his shortlist.
Binotto could take over the Alpine F1 project at the beginning of 2024, after his ‘gardening leave’ period is completed. This is the period of forced rest before being able to work for another team after resigning from Ferrari.
The Italian is also rumored to be linked to a technical director position at F1 alongside CEO Stefano Domenicali. However, this scenario seems unlikely as Liberty Media does not want an “Italian colony” at the head of the premier motorsport discipline.
#F1 | #Alpine: Binotto primo in lista, aprirà la via ad altri ferraristihttps://t.co/5rroZ98Rwz
— Motorsport.com Italia (@Motorsport_IT) August 10, 2023
Possible arrival of Binotto and Ferrari engine engineers at Alpine F1
The Italian media also suggests that Binotto’s likely arrival at Alpine could bring several Ferrari engine engineers to follow their former boss to the French team. Binotto is, in fact, primarily a specialist in engines, having led this department at Scuderia Ferrari.
While the Renault engine is not at the level of the best, Alpine wants to strengthen this department. Despite the engine freeze, the French team believes it is possible to work on adjustments to improve its power unit.
In this context, reinforcements from the Scuderia Ferrari at the Viry-Châtillon engine factory could be a real advantage for Alpine.
