The BWT Alpine F1 Team is pleased to announce the appointment of Otmar Szafnauer to the role of Team Principal and Bruno Famin as Executive Director of Alpine Racing at Viry-Châtillon, both reporting to Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi.
As described in November 2021, this new organization will optimize the performance of the team as it prepares for the new technical regulations to be introduced from 2022. The arrival of two highly experienced and recognized motorsport professionals confirms the ambition of the BWT Alpine F1 Team, defined by Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo , and Laurent Rossi, to compete within 100 races of the introduction of the new championship rules.
As team principal, Otmar Szafnauer will lead the BWT Alpine F1 Team at Enstone and in races throughout the season. Otmar is one of the most talented and respected Formula 1 managers and will bring his 33 years of motorsport experience to the team. His goal is to manage the BWT Alpine F1 Team by consistently delivering all aspects of Alpine’s performance, including engineering and race management. Otmar will also help the team make the most of the talents of Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso.
After starting his career as an engineer with Ford Motor Company, Otmar arrived in F1 in 1998 with British American Racing as Operations Director before joining Honda as Vice President of the F1 program. He has consistently proven his ability to unleash a team’s potential throughout his various tenures. At Force India, he led the team from last place in the Constructors’ Championship to a solid fourth position, despite the lowest budget and paddock workforce. He also led Racing Point to their first win and fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship in just their second season, and Aston Martin to their first-ever podium in F1.
Bruno Famin will bring his unique motorsport experience to Alpine, with the mission of continuing the development of Alpine’s Formula 1 engine and maximizing the transfer of technologies from Formula 1 to Alpine cars. Bruno and the Viry-Châtillon technical team will put in place measures and structures to ensure that the Enstone chassis team has a Power Unit that can race competitively under the new regulations.
Davide Brivio, who joined the team in 2021, will continue to deliver his unparalleled ability to identify and develop young potential as Director of Racing Expansion Projects, overseeing participation in all racing categories, including the Alpine Academy. The relationship between Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon has been key to Alpine’s performance in 2021 and Davide will strive to foster this team spirit across all racing categories. Within his mission, Davide will also be responsible for identifying, developing and bringing to life projects around new opportunities for Alpine in the world of motorsport and exploring new areas to further the development of Alpine in the sport.
Laurent Rossi, CEO of Alpine, commented: “With Otmar and Bruno joining the team, we are moving to a new level for 2022. Otmar will bring his unique experience in motorsport and his uncompromising desire to win, while Bruno’s proven track record of building technologies that make a difference in competition and the subsequent move to road cars is critical to our project as a sports team and as a brand. Over the past year I have seen Davide’s talent for recognizing the best in people and making them perform at their best. I’m excited to be using this unique ability across all of Alpine’s existing assets and new ones we’re just starting to explore. Our group of racers is complete and ready to take the team to its ambitious goals in 2022.”
Otmar Szafnauer, team principal of BWT Alpine F1 Team, added: “I am delighted to join BWT Alpine F1 Team and ready to work with everyone to achieve our challenge: the team within the next 100 races fight for the championship. My focus is on preparing for the start of the season in Bahrain. As one of the three automakers involved in Formula 1, Alpine is fully armed to deliver on its ambition, I can’t wait to start the journey!”
Bruno Famin, Executive Director of Alpine Racing, said: “It’s great to be back in the competition, and even better to join Alpine with such ambition and unique technical capabilities. Viry-Châtillon is one of the biggest factories you can dream of, I can’t wait to join his amazing talents and work closely with the teams in Enstone, Dieppe, Les Ulis and Boulogne-Billancourt.”
Davide Brivio, Director of Racing Expansion Projects, said: “Alpine’s group of racers is a key to its long-term achievements, and I am delighted to contribute to the exciting ambition to shape a new culture within racing who is responsible and inclusive. Formula 1 is a flagship, but we also need to develop our ambition in new areas and I am ready to support Laurent Rossi in achieving this goal.”