It’s been reported by L’Equipe that Renault CEO Luca de Meo took a trip to Alpine’s base in Enstone last week, where he delivered a 40-minute “determined” speech to fire up the French side.
Alpine have endured an odd season, which has seen a mixture of amazing highs but also shocking lows.
Both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon have claimed a podium this season, whilst Gasly also finished P3 in the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race.
His P3 at Spa ahead of the main race was massively overshadowed though, as it was announced that weekend that now ex-team principal Otmar Szafnauer, ex-sporting director Alan Permane and ex-chief technical officer Pat Fry would all immediately leave the team.
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Fry has since switched to Williams, whereas Szafnauer and Permane remain jobless.
Their sudden departures sent shockwaves through the paddock, with it reportedly having occurred due to Szafnauer and Permane not deeming Alpine’s targets as realistic.
Former Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was also moved from his position and has since moved to another role within the company.
An incredible amount of change is therefore taking place, something which brings with it a level of uncertainty.
In an attempt to perhaps convince the team’s employees that everything is okay, De Meo delivered an emotional, “sharp” and “determined” speech, according to German website Motorsport-Total.com.
Ocon and Gasly were reportedly present, whilst employees at Alpine’s engine department in Viry-Châtillon joined via video call.
De Meo is believed to have informed all the staff that those “now following suit and moving the team forward again” will keep their jobs, whilst anyone stuck in “old patterns” will be sacked.
As well as that, interim team principal Bruno Famin has been given the position on a permanent basis, ending rumours that former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto was contemplating a move to Alpine.
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The Renault CEO being present in Enstone is a clear sign that he wants things to change, and fast.
Alpine currently find themselves a distant and lonely sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, a position they’re set to remain in for the rest of the season.
The big question is whether what De Meo is expecting is realistic or not, something which will likely dictate the future of the French outfit.