Alpine F1 team adopts new engineering management structure
After a less than ideal start to the 2024 season, the Alpine F1 team has been forced to revamp its technical structure following the resignation of technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer.
The pair reportedly resigned prior to the start of the season, compounding problems for a team that has been rocked by the departure of several key personnel since mid-2023. Team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane were sacked in July, and Pat Fry quit as CTO.
According to the team, it will now adopt a new hierarchy with three technical directors: one for aerodynamics (David Wheater), one for performance (Ciaron Pilbeam) and one for engineering (Joe Burnell).
On the power unit side, the technical team in Viry-Châtillon will continue to be led by technical director Eric Meignan, whose main focus is the 2026 power unit project. The team has also confirmed that new COOs John Woods at Enstone and Audrey Vastroux at Viry-Châtillon will work on the development of the factories behind the Formula 1 project.
Team principal Bruno Famin commented, “We have decided to make these organizational changes as we can clearly see that we are not where we want nor need to be in terms of performance level.
“The new three-pillared structure with three technical directors, each specializing in different areas, will bring better work and collaboration across our technical areas and contribute to delivering performance from the factories to the racetrack. I trust fully in the abilities of Joe, David and Ciaron to work closely together in bringing the team the performance and improvements that it needs.
“Finally, I would like to thank Matt and Dirk for their efforts over the last couple of years at the team and wish them the very best in the next chapter of their careers.”
