Latest news with #Enstone
France 24
4 days ago
- Automotive
- France 24
RB's Permane returns as team boss at Belgian GP two years after sacking
Appointed two weeks ago, in the wake of Laurent Mekies' departure to take charge of sister team Red Bull, following the dismissal of Christian Horner, Permane was congratulated by friends up and down the pitlane. He was happy too to reflect on his dramatic change of fortunes after being told by Alpine, in 2023, that the Belgian race was to be his last as their sporting director after a 34-year career with the Enstone-based outfit. "It's been quite a journey, that's for sure," he said. "Two years ago, here, it was a very sad day for me, but I'm just eternally grateful to the Red Bull family for what they've done for me." Permane, 58, had been a permanent part of the team and the paddock for decades, earning respect and admiration as he worked his way up from early experience as a mechanic with the Benetton test team. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff described him as a "a rock of F1" and someone "with a lot of knowledge". But as Alpine, the team that followed previous outfits Benetton, Renault and Lotus in running their operation from Enstone, lurched from one crisis towards another, he was dumped. Facing an uncertain future, he was delighted when his phone rang and it was friend and colleague Mekies at the other end, offering him a job as Racing Director at Racing Bulls. He accepted and now, with Mekies' promotion, has the Frenchman to thank again for recommending him as his successor. "I am so proud to be given this opportunity to lead this team," said Permane. "I am looking forward to it. It's been a busy two weeks, that's for sure, but it has been exciting. "For me, it's quite a change. I'm a trackside guy. I've spent my life at the race track. There you manage teams of 60 to 100 people, but now it's another step up... I'm looking forward to it." Ironically, he will now rub shoulders with other team bosses including Alpine's consultant executive Flavio Briatore who was one of the first to send congratulations, having been his boss at Enstone during their Benetton days.
The Independent
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Karun Chandhok weighs up ‘potential' next F1 team for Christian Horner
Karun Chandhok speculated that Christian Horner could join Alpine as team principal after his Red Bull exit. Horner was relieved of his duties as Red Bull F1 CEO last week in a surprise announcement, after 20 years and 14 world titles with the team. The 51-year-old has not missed a race since taking charge of Red Bull in 2005 but is set for some time away from the sport in light of his departure. However, Horner has been linked with Ferrari in recent months – and a potential link-up with Lewis Hamilton – but Sky Sports pundit Chandhok named another outfit who could target Horner. 'Could he go to Alpine and stay living in the UK?' Chandhok told Sky Sports News. 'Alpine are still based in that motorsport valley and are looking for a team principal. Christian's old friend Flavio Briatore is in charge. That could be a potential destination. 'Could he go to Ferrari? There were lots of rumours that they tried to hire him on various occasions. I don't think he'll go there.' Horner lives in rural Oxfordshire, close to Alpine's UK base in Enstone, and has a close relationship with Alpine adviser Briatore. Laurent Mekies, formerly team principal at sister team Racing Bulls, has taken over from Horner at Red Bull and will take charge from the next race, the Belgian Grand Prix (25-27 July). Red Bull are currently fourth in the constructors' championship while star driver Max Verstappen is 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri in the drivers' standings at the halfway stage of the season.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nielsen to return to Alpine as managing director
Steve Nielsen has held a number of roles across F1 [Getty Images] Steve Nielsen is to return to the Renault-owned Alpine team as managing director. The 60-year-old Briton is one of the most experienced and respected sporting managers in Formula 1. Nielsen spent a decade at the team as sporting director through its various guises of Benetton, Renault and Lotus, and won two world title doubles with Fernando Alonso. Advertisement He has also been sporting director at the Caterham, Toro Rosso and Williams teams, as well as for governing body the FIA and for commercial rights holders F1. A statement from Alpine said Nielsen would "oversee the day-to-day running of the team at Enstone, starting from 1 September ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza". Alpine has been through a series of management changes in recent years as it struggles to return to competitiveness. Its latest team principal Oliver Oakes left the team after the Miami Grand Prix in May citing personal reasons. Nielsen is an appointment of Flavio Briatore, who was made executive adviser by Renault last summer with a remit to turn them around.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Nielsen to return to Alpine as managing director
Steve Nielsen is to return to the Renault-owned Alpine team as managing 60-year-old Briton is one of the most experienced and respected sporting managers in Formula spent a decade at the team as sporting director through its various guises of Benetton, Renault and Lotus, and won two world title doubles with Fernando has also been sporting director at the Caterham, Toro Rosso and Williams teams, as well as for governing body the FIA and for commercial rights holders F1.A statement from Alpine said Nielsen would "oversee the day-to-day running of the team at Enstone, starting from 1 September ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza". Alpine has been through a series of management changes in recent years as it struggles to return to latest team principal Oliver Oakes left the team after the Miami Grand Prix in May citing personal is an appointment of Flavio Briatore, who was made executive adviser by Renault last summer with a remit to turn them around.
Associated Press
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
F1 team Alpine appoints Steve Nielsen as managing director
ENSTONE, England (AP) — Formula 1 team Alpine has appointed Steve Nielsen as managing director to oversee its daily operations. The team said in a statement Friday that Nielsen will start in his role in September ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. He will be reporting to the team's executive advisor Flavio Briatore. The pair has been enjoying a strong relationship for years. Nielsen's appointment came in the wake of Oli Oakes' departure from the Team Principal role in May, a move that had left Briatore covering Oakes' duties. 'The appointment marks a return to the team for Nielsen, who is one of the most long-standing and well-respected figures in the sport and has previously spent multiple stints at Enstone for Benetton and Renault, most notably as Sporting Director during the 2005 and 2006 championship winning years,' Alpine said. Nielsen has also worked with other teams and held roles at the FIA and Formula One. Alpine is 10th in the constructors' standings ___ AP auto racing:
