It confronts an increasingly difficult struggle in the ultra-close middle after suffering a double DNF at the British Grand Prix. The resurgent McLaren jumped it for fifth in the constructors' standings. With Alpine's Formula 1 team in disarray after their performance at the British Grand Prix, the French company promoted Bruno Famin to vice president of their Motorsports division. In light of Alpine's recent management reorganisation under CEO Laurent Rossi, Famin will now serve as a liaison between Rossi and team principal Otmar Szafnauer, and will report directly to Rossi. In his new position, Famin will handle not just the Formula 1 team, but also Alpine's endurance racing, Dakar Rally project and Alpine Academy drivers. Famin's decision isn't a hasty response to its F1 results or a cynical political manoeuvre, rather the rationale is straightforward. It's because Rossi knows he can't offer Alpine's racing activities the undivided focus required for the French firm to achieve its goals in the car industry.
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F1: Alpine’s Disastrous British Grand Prix
It would be an understatement to say that Alpine had a poor weekend. Alpine's Otmar Szafnauer wasn't completely seething after a double DNF, where McLaren collected 30 points. Pierre Gasly's suspension was destroyed after Lance Stroll hit him as the two were duelling into Stowe. Esteban Ocon was forced to retire early in the race due to a hydraulic leak that was caused by a defective component in his car.
Szafnauer thought a five-second penalty for forcing Gasly out of the race was too lenient, but he nonetheless obeyed the stewards' decision. Alpine is struggling right now; the vehicle has speed, but external variables, like the damaged parts, are slowing them down. The French squad is planning more updates in the hopes of finding a game-changing increase on par with McLaren's.
Unfortunately for Alpine, they failed to seize the moment and now they face the MCL60 that threatens to permanently relegate them to sixth place.
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F1 British Grand Prix: Pierre Gasly Criticises FIA Stewards
Pierre Gasly of Alpine has asked the FIA for clarification on a situation involving Lance Stroll during the British Grand Prix. At the British Grand Prix, Gasly vented his anger at Stroll after his botched effort to pass him, during which the Canadian driver drove off the course. Gasly aims to bring up the matter with race officials at the Hungaroring because he thinks such behaviour merits a position change.
However, it wasn't the only problematic thing that happened between them, they quickly kept battling and clashed again at the last turn. Gasly had to drop out of the race when the collision wrecked his rear suspension. Frenchman joined Esteban Ocon on the bench, keeping Alpine scoreless.
Many people thought that Lance Stroll's approach to the Frenchman was inappropriate. As a result, he finished the race in 11th place, but a five-second time penalty dropped him to 15th. Fernando Alonso's disappointing seventh-place result was a setback for Aston Martin this weekend.
With seven points on his FIA Super Licence, Lance Stroll is currently the second-highest-ranked driver. Pierre Gasly now holds the lead with eight points, however on July 10, 2023, two of his points will expire, promoting Stroll to first place.
A driver is subject to a race ban after they have accrued 12 points on their Super Licence, as per the regulations. Stroll's seven points move him closer to a race suspension, but if he drives safely throughout the season, he can avoid that penalty.
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