Formula 1 News: Alpine Continues Engineering Restructure with David Sanchez at the Helm
Following a disappointing start to its 2024 season, Alpine has made significant changes to its engineering structure, appointing David Sanchez as executive technical director earlier this year. Sanchez, who previously worked at McLaren, has been tasked with leading a new three-pronged technical structure set out by team principal Bruno Famin.
The reshuffle comes after the resignations of Matt Harman and Dirk de Beer, which led to the introduction of a triad of technical directors consisting of Joe Burnell, David Wheater, and Ciaron Pilbeam. Sanchez now oversees the technical directors, reporting directly to Famin.
“They are very good. Everything needed to make a competitive car is there. So I was very pleased when I joined.”
- David Sanchez
Despite joining the team relatively recently, Sanchez has expressed his satisfaction with the existing structure and personnel, stating, “They are very good. Everything needed to make a competitive car is there. So I was very pleased when I joined.” Sanchez has also praised the team’s ability to adapt, citing McLaren’s in-season progress last year as an example.
The A524, Alpine’s 2024 car, has shown signs of improvement, with the team scoring its first point in Miami and adding further scores in subsequent races. Sanchez attributes this to the concerted effort to reduce weight, which has taken priority over performance-driven updates.
“We are learning more about the car and every race we are trying to squeeze more out of it. That’s been a good trend in the last few races. And there’s been a lot of learning to develop upgrades, and we should get new parts coming around the summer break.”
- David Sanchez
Sanchez has identified areas for improvement, including the need for more downforce and the challenge of achieving this without inducing problems. The team has also made key signings, including Michael Broadhurst, Vin Dhanani, and Jacopo Fantoni, who bring experience from Red Bull and Ferrari.
Looking ahead to 2025, Sanchez is already planning for conceptual changes to the car, particularly in suspension and aerodynamics. While the team’s current focus is on catching up in development, Sanchez is optimistic about their prospects, aiming to “arrive after the summer break” in a similar position to McLaren’s upgrade progress last year.
As the Formula 1 calendar reaches its midpoint, Alpine’s engineering restructure under Sanchez’s leadership could be the key to unlocking their full potential. With a renewed focus on development and a strengthened team, Alpine is poised to make a push up the constructors’ championship standings.
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