The 2024 Formula 1 season was a true uphill battle for Alpine F1 Team. After a difficult start, the French team seems to have found a second wind thanks to major changes, both on the technical and managerial fronts.
With the arrival of aerodynamics expert David Sanchez and the appointment of Oliver Oakes as team principal, Alpine F1 Team has gained a fresh dynamic. Here’s a look back at a precisely orchestrated revival that came at just the right time.
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A disastrous start to Alpine’s 2024 season
At the start of the 2024 Formula 1 season, Alpine found itself in dire straits. The A524 car struggled with significant excess weight and an inefficient aerodynamic design, preventing it from competing effectively with its rivals. According to David Sanchez, who returned to Enstone in May after successful stints at Ferrari and McLaren, the team was “at a dead end” in terms of development. That underscores the level of crisis the team was facing. However, Sanchez implemented a radical shift upon his arrival. A new floor design, introduced at the Miami Grand Prix, brought the car down to the minimum regulatory weight. This, combined with aerodynamic tweaks, delivered noticeable results: 14 top-10 finishes and even a double podium in Brazil. With 54 points scored after the summer break, Alpine managed to secure sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
A revamped management with a powerful trio
Management restructuring also played a crucial role. Oliver Oakes, appointed team principal in July 2024 at just 36 years old, became the youngest to hold this position in F1. Alongside him, legendary Alpine leader Flavio Briatore, who spearheaded Fernando Alonso’s championship-winning era in the 2000s, returned as an advisor. Together with Alpine CEO Luca de Meo, they form a trio focused on cohesion and a unified vision to rejuvenate the team. Oakes emphasizes the strength of this collaboration: “We work as a trio, each bringing our expertise. Flavio contributes immense experience, Luca provides strategic vision, and I execute on the ground.” Inspired by Red Bull’s successful management model of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, Alpine finally seems to have found a structure capable of competing with the best teams.
Ambitious goals for the future
While the progress made in 2024 is encouraging, Alpine F1 Team doesn’t plan to stop there. Oakes and Sanchez share a common ambition: to elevate the team from the midfield to serious title contention in the coming years. “We have the resources, infrastructure, and talent to aim higher,” Sanchez states. With recent additions like David Greenwood as race director and the undeniable talent of Pierre Gasly—who has already proven capable of delivering big points with an average car—Alpine continues to build a strong foundation. The goal is clear: to develop a competitive car for the 2025 Formula 1 season while maintaining the stability gained in 2024. Pre-season testing will offer the first glimpse of the team’s ability to sustain its momentum.
This article delves into Alpine F1 Team’s progress in 2024, marked by significant technical advancements, a management overhaul, and renewed ambition. Under the strategic leadership of Oliver Oakes and the technical expertise of David Sanchez, the French team appears poised to become a major force in Formula 1 once again.