Latest news with #AlpineFormulaOne
TimesLIVE
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
De Meo's exit changes nothing for Alpine F1 team, Briatore says
The departure from Renault of CEO Luca de Meo changes nothing for the French carmaker's Alpine Formula One team, de facto principal Flavio Briatore told Reuters on Sunday. Renault announced De Meo was leaving shortly after the newspaper Le Figaro reported he will take over the leadership of the luxury group Kering. Briatore, a title-winning boss of the Benetton and Renault F1 teams, returned to Formula One a year ago as executive adviser to De Meo and has been running the team since Oliver Oakes resigned as principal. Briatore has denied being tasked to improve the team's performance before selling it. Alpine are currently last of the 10 teams. 'Nothing, absolutely nothing,' Briatore said when asked after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal what De Meo's departure changed for the team. 'Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job,' he said. Alpine will compete with Mercedes power units next season after Renault decided last September to end engine production at its Viry-Chatillon factory outside Paris. The team, whose investors include Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, are alone in using Renault power units. De Meo said last October that Renault were spending up to €250m (R5.19bn) a year on engine production while buying in from another manufacturer would cost less than $20m (R358.94m).
Hindustan Times
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Motor racing-De Meo's exit changes nothing for Alpine F1 team, Briatore says
MONTREAL, - The departure from Renault of chief executive Luca de Meo changes nothing for the French carmaker's Alpine Formula One team, de facto principal Flavio Briatore told Reuters on Sunday. Renault announced Luca De Meo was leaving shortly after the newspaper Le Figaro reported he will take over the leadership of the luxury group Kering. Briatore, a title-winning boss of the Benetton and Renault F1 teams, returned to Formula One a year ago as executive adviser to De Meo and has been running the team since Oliver Oakes resigned as principal. Briatare has denied being tasked to improve the team's performance prior to selling it. Alpine are currently last of the 10 teams. "Nothing, absolutely nothing," Briatore said when asked after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal what De Meo's departure changed for the team. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job," he said. Alpine will compete with Mercedes power units next season after Renault decided last September to end engine production at its Viry-Chatillon factory outside Paris. The team, whose investors include Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, are currently alone in using Renault power units. De Meo said last October that Renault were spending up to 250 million euros a year on engine production while buying in from another manufacturer would cost less than $20 million.
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Gasly does not recognise reported 'chaos' at Alpine
IMOLA, Italy - Pierre Gasly said it was business as usual at the Renault-owned Alpine Formula One team and he did not recognise reports of chaos that followed recent driver and leadership changes. Oliver Oakes quit suddenly as team boss last week, for personal reasons after the Miami Grand Prix, with Italian former principal Flavio Briatore taking on the Briton's responsibilities. Briatore, 75, will be the team's sixth boss in five seasons and French driver Gasly is now working with his fourth since he joined in 2023. Soon after Oakes left, the team announced Australian rookie Jack Doohan was being dropped for Argentine reserve Franco Colapinto for at least five races from this weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. "I went to the factory on Tuesday (last week), Wednesday I was working in the simulator, I was with Flavio when all the announcements were made," Gasly told reporters at Imola on Thursday. "It's big news but the business and what we've got to do as individuals doesn't change. "There is no trouble within the team, there is no disagreement between anyone in the team, the vision and the directions always remain the same as they were before Miami and after Miami. "Obviously Oli is not there and there has been the change between the drivers... but in terms of directions and pure work, this hasn't changed." Gasly, who has scored all seven of Alpine's points so far this season, said he had taken four days off playing golf in Scotland to relax and recharge before coming to Imola. Alpine are ninth of 10 teams after six grands prix and two sprint races. "The headlines are not showing any of the good work that we're seeing, or that I'm seeing, at the factory or even within the racing team," said Gasly. "I think for me it's important to keep the guys focusing on the actual work we are doing behind closed doors, because that's really good. "Flavio has brought a lot with him and... I think the directions are very clear and we'll see some rewards and dividends over the next few weeks and months and I'm very hopeful for next season," added the Frenchman. "But I think it's just important that we move on from this special week and focus on business as usual." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Alpine benches Jack Doohan for at least 5 races, team president out
The Alpine Formula One team is facing massive changes, with the replacement of a driver and the resignation of its team principal. Alpine announced Wednesday that Franco Colapinto will take the place of Jack Doohan for the next five weekends, hoping to find better results for a team anchored by Pierre Gasly. Alpine said it plans to rotate drivers following an ongoing "assessment." Doohan, 22, was a reserve driver for Alpine but was promoted to the main race squad last season when Esteban Ocon, who moved to Haas, departed. But Doohan's performance has been criticized. In seven starts this season, his best finish is 13th, and the Australian has zero points and sits tied for last in the driver standings. Gasly has just seven points and is 12th. By contrast McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have a combined 250 points and are 1-2 in the driver standings. Doohan will take Colapinto's position as a reserve driver. "I am very proud to have achieved my lifelong ambition to be a professional Formula 1 driver and I will forever be grateful to the team for helping me achieve this dream," Doohan said. "Obviously, this latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, naturally I want to be racing. "That said, I appreciate the team's trust and commitment. We have long-term goals as a team to achieve and I will continue to give my maximum efforts in any way I can to help achieve those. For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals." It is unclear what role, if any, the driver move had to do with the immediate resignation of Alpine principal Oliver Oakes. In a statement issued Tuesday night, Alpine announced Oakes' resignation and said team executive adviser would add Oakes' duties on top of his. "The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors' Championship, the statement read. Alpine is ninth of 10 teams in the current standings. "The team will not be making any further comment." Colapinto, of Argentina, will be behind the wheel at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Italy the weekend of May 16-18. "I cannot wait to get started," said Colapinto, who turns 22 later this month.
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Colapinto replaces Doohan at Alpine for next five races
The Renault-owned Alpine Formula One team confirmed on Wednesday Argentinian Franco Colapinto would replace Jack Doohan for the next five races, starting at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Australian Doohan, 22, son of motorcycle great Mick, failed to score a point in six races this season and one at the end of 2024. 'We have come to the decision to put Franco in the car with Pierre [Gasly] for the next five races,' said executive adviser Flavio Briatore, who is set to take over as team principal after Ollie Oakes resigned on Tuesday. 'We continue to support Jack at the team as he has acted in a professional manner in his role as a race driver so far this season. 'The next five races will give us an opportunity to try something different and after this time we will assess our options.' Alpine signed Colapinto from Williams as a reserve driver before the start of the season. He raced nine times for Williams last year as replacement for American Logan Sargeant and scored five points, with a best finish of eighth in Azerbaijan. 'I thank the team for giving me the opportunity to drive competitively for the next five races,' the 21-year-old said. 'I have stayed sharp and I am as ready as possible. I will do my best to get up to speed quickly and give it my all to deliver the best possible results with Pierre.' Doohan said he would always be grateful to the team for giving him a shot at Formula One. 'This latest chapter is a tough one for me to take because, as a professional driver, I want to be racing,' he said. 'For now, I will keep my head down, keep working hard, watch with interest the next five races and keep chasing my own personal goals.'
