Sanchez: Alpine has ‘all the ingredients’ to move back up the grid
Alpine's executive technical director David Sanchez believes the French outfit has “all the ingredients” it needs to climb the Formula 1 grid in the coming seasons.
It’s been almost a year since Alpine was rocked by a significant period of disruption that saw several of the team’s key figures – not least team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane – exit the beleaguered outfit.
The exodus and changes continued well into 2025 when the Enstone squad transformed its engineering department on the back of the departures of technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer.
In May, Sanchez, who had failed to find his footing at McLaren, was handed the responsibility of overseeing Alpine’s Performance, Engineering, and Aerodynamic units, the former Ferrari engineer instilling a dose of much needed stability into the team.
While Alpine suffered a rocky start to its 2024 campaign, the team has shown signs of improvement, and Sanchez believes that the foundation for future success is in place.
Speaking over the British Grand Prix weekend, he highlighted the factors contributing to the team's progress, including a major weight reduction in the car.
“The car is largely similar to earlier this season,” he explained. “We took out a large amount of weight, now we have the weight limit.
“The progress I would say, since Imola onwards, we’re getting to know more of the car, how to get more out of it, and that’s been the trend.
“Now in the meantime we’re working at the factory on how to make it better, bring more parts and moving further forwards.”
With further developments planned for the remainder of the season and beyond, Sanchez is optimistic about Alpine's prospects.
“We have a fair amount [of developments],” he added. “A lot of working is happening at the factory, and now we’ll probably start bringing some parts around the summer break, and probably quite a bit more after.”
Returning to Alpine, where he started his F1 career in 2005 when the team was known as Renault,
Sanchez has seen significant growth and development at the Enstone site.
“The site has grown a lot since the last time I was there,” he continued.
“I would say all the ingredients are definitely in place, now it’s about us at the factory making the most of everything and focusing on the car.”
Alpine team principal Bruno Famin on the grid in Austria.
While Alpine’s technical direction appears to be on track, the team’s lineup for 2025 remains incomplete, with the outfit yet to decide who will fill Esteban Ocon’s vacant seat.
Sanchez acknowledged the ongoing search for a replacement, but emphasized the team's primary focus on car development.
“I think driver-wise we’re still looking into it for next year. We’re focusing on the car for now – well, I’m focusing on the car for now!” he said.
“The plan is to try and make a big step forward. Again, we have the resource, now we try and use everything to get the car in the best possible shape. We have plenty of ideas, now it’s a matter of delivering them.”
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