Alpine F1 News: Team Boss Insists Esteban Ocon And Pierre Gasly Are 'Happy' Despite Performance Struggles

Alpine F1 remains steadfast under Team Boss Bruno Famin’s leadership, refuting sale rumors.

Oct 21, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; BWT Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly (10) of Team France drives / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Alpine F1's team boss Bruno Famin has vehemently dismissed rumors of the team's sale, attributing their current struggles to past management missteps. The team principal also insists that drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly are happy with the team despite the performance struggles.

Key Takeaways:

• Alpine F1, despite ongoing challenges and poor performance this season, is not for sale, as confirmed by team boss Bruno Famin.
• Famin credits the team’s current predicament to decisions made by previous management and expresses confidence in overcoming these hurdles.
• The team's long-term ambitions are to contest for podiums and victories, with a determined focus on vehicle development and internal changes.

Despite Alpine F1's less-than-ideal performance in the 2024 championship, where they find themselves without a single point so far, Team Boss Bruno Famin remains resolutely optimistic about the team's future. In a definitive response to circulating sale rumors, Famin, in a discussion with Formula1.com, has made it clear that Alpine F1 retains robust backing from their parent company, Renault.

"We have the full support of the top management. The team is absolutely not for sale," Famin asserted.

The root of the team's current woes, according to Famin, lies in the legacy left by its previous management. The Alpine squad, historically known for their success in the 1970s despite initial setbacks, is looking to channel that same spirit in the face of current adversities. Famin continued:

"The car we have now is the result of previous management.

"We want to be ahead, we want to develop the performance of the car – and we want to fight for podiums and for victories as soon as possible. We are in a down – but we will use the opportunity to be stronger very soon and for sure make the necessary changes within the team to reach our goals.”

Both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly's contracts are due to expire at the end of the season, with the current downturn in performance it is speculated that the French drivers will be considering their options for 2025. However, from the team's side, they are happy with the driver line-up and Famin is certain the drivers are happy with the team. He added:

“We are happy with our drivers, and our drivers are happy with us. We are talking to them regularly. Let’s see what we can do in the future. There are ups and down, we are in a down but we have a strong project with a long term vision.

“We have a good strength for the 2026 project – we are a manufacturer, we are developing the PU – which is on track, we can optimise everything.

“We have a project which doesn’t need to convince them [to stay]. I would like to use this opportunity to thank them. We are in a difficult position. It is not the start of the season we wanted and I appreciate how constructive they are with the team, not only in communications with journalists but also internally. When trying to find solutions with the car, both of them are very helpful.”