Famin: Alpine absolutely not for sale

Another F1 season of pain is what 2024 turning out to be for Alpine as they started off with an under-powered and overweight car in the form of the A524.

The team that saw a major change in management, ousting Otmar Szafnauer from the top job abruptly on the eve of the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix along with long-serving Sporting Director Alan Permane. Chief Technical Officer Pat Fry left for Williams.

Those changes were done days after Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi was fired as well with Famin taking over the Team Principal role on an interim basis before being confirmed permanently in 2024.

Alpine secured a podium one race after the reshuffle in Zandvoort with Pierre Gasly taking third, and while those who watched the latest Drive to Survive season may have noticed how that podium was celebrated as a new dawn for the team after Szafnauer left, it was merely a narrative used to provide a dramatic effect as the reality was far from that.

It was in fact a false dawn as - while Gasly drove a solid 2023 Dutch GP - the podium was the result of mixed weather conditions and not genuine pace from the car, the rest of last season was inconsistent and disappointing for the French squad.

The 2024 F1 season did not start in a better way as Alpine are yet to score a point after four races and are currently last in the Constructors' Standings.

That, combined with rumors that the Renault board may be looking to offload their struggling F1 operation, means Famin is enduring a tough time in the hot seat as the team kept hemorrhaging personal with Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer also leaving.

Speaking to Formula 1's Official Website, the Frenchman did his best to downplay all the aforementioned rumors and troubles, he said: "We have a real project with Alpine.

"We have the project to develop the Alpine brand awareness globally through motorsport and Formula 1 in particular.

"We have the full support of the top management. The team is absolutely not for sale. We will keep pushing to reach our goals," he insisted.

However Famin admitted the graveness of the situation, he added: "It’s not a fun period. We are not where we want to be in terms of performance, we are not doing the project to be P15 or P16.

"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.

"Everybody [on the board] understands it is not an easy challenge," the Alpine boss continued insisting the top Renault management are supportive.

"It’s a very difficult challenge – we owe a lot of respect to our competitors. To fight ahead, we have to raise the bar, raise our level, we need to improve.

"In the history our team, previously branded Renault – at the start of the project in the 1970s, everyone was laughing at us – and we were strong in those moments.

"We want to use those difficult moments now. We know everyone has ups and downs. 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," Famin vowed.

Famin, who also hold the position of Vice President of Alpine Motorsport, blamed the team's current shortcomings on his predecessors, he pointed out: "The car we have now is the result of previous management.

"But what is important is what we are doing now. And I’m happy with what we are doing. Of course the way is very long, and we have a lot to improve."

The current F1 regulations will be replaces by a new set in 2026, with new power units and cars introduced, and Famin is targeting a change in Alpine's fortunes by then.

"Viry [Alpine’s engine base in France] has been working for quite a long time now on the new engine regulations," he revealed.

"The good news is that we are on track. We are quite happy with what we’re doing. The level is quite ambitious. For the time being, we’re on track but you never know what your competitors are doing.

"We want to be back on the first part of the grid for sure, to improve significantly our position," he said of 2026. "We know the major change in regulations is an opportunity to change the game. We want to seize that opportunity. That’s the goal.

"We want to make a significant step and find consistency, not to be one year fifth, one year seventh, one year sixth. Let’s get much closer to the biggest teams," Famin concluded.

Alpine, with how their situation is currently developing, are also risking starting 2026 on the back foot. While the smart thing to do was give Szafnauer the target of delivering in 2026 and allowing him to build a stable operation until then, he was unceremoniously let go with technical figures departing as well.

Even if replacements and new staff come in now (keep in mind there are gardening leaves) the will not have enough time to get integrated within the team and start delivering. Food for thought for the powers that be at Renault and Alpine.