Alpine in management shake-up ahead of F1 debut season

Alpine

Alpine in management shake-up ahead of F1 debut season

Team making changes after switch from Renault

Ian Parkes

Wednesday 6 January 2021 18:33

Alpine Racing is making changes behind the scenes ahead of its debut Formula 1 campaign this season.

Transitioning from its former guise as Renault Sport Racing, Companies House records have confirmed Jérôme Stoll's exit as president on December 31 after five years at the helm.

Marcin Budkowski, who has operated in the role of executive director of the F1 team since moving across from the FIA in 2018, has been appointed a director of the new company.

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Budkowski was Renault's primary figure in the paddock at a number of races towards the end of last season while team principal Cyril Abiteboul oversaw the work required for the changeover from Renault to Alpine.

The suggestion is Abiteboul's role is poised to change as part of the new structure.

In addition, reports also indicate Davide Brivio is to leave MotoGP champions Suzuki to take up a role as CEO of Alpine.

Brivio has spent the last eight years as team manager at Suzuki, guiding it to its first title in 20 years last season as Joan Mir took the riders' title and the Ecstar squad the team crown.

Brivio had previously worked with Yamaha for 20 years, including nine as team manager from 2001 to 2010 during which time he was instrumental in recruiting Valentino Rossi at the end of 2003 from Honda following which his fellow Italian won four titles in seven years.

The move, which is expected to be imminently confirmed, represents a coup for Alpine given Brivio's experience in the MotoGP paddock.

Brivio will be given the opportunity to oversee Fernando Alonso's return to F1 after a two-year hiatus, with the double world champion partnering Esteban Ocon this season.