Alfa Romeo: Monchaux replaces Resta as technical director

©AlfaRomeo

Sauber Motorsport, which operates and manages Alfa Romeo Racing, has announced that Head of Aerodynamics Jan Monchaux will take on the role of technical director from August 1.

Monchaux's promotion at the Swiss outfit will follow the departure at the end of the month of current Alfa tech boss Simone Resta who is expected to return to Ferrari to fulfill a senior engineering role in the Scuderia's tech department for which team boss Mattia Bonotto still has oversight.

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"I am very excited about this new challenge and I am looking forward to starting in my new position," said Monchaux.

"The owners, board and team principal are sending a simple but strong message to the whole company – they value continuity and believe in the existing team and the work we have been doing. It is now up to us to prove them right, but I am convinced our future is bright."

Alfa Rome's reshuffling is just another indication of the House of Maranello's influence on the Swiss outfit which enjoys a technical partnership with Ferrari.

"I want to thank Simone for his contribution to the progression of the team and I wish him all the best for his future appointments," added Alfa Romeo team principal Frédéric Vasseur.

"As for Jan, I am delighted to have him step up to the role of Technical Director.

"He has done a brilliant job so far and I am confident he will be able to lead our technical group as the team continues its upward journey."

It's likely Resta's return to Maranello was put on the cards earlier this season in light of the team's technical difficulties and the performance shortfall endured by the Scuderia so far this season.

Binotto's move from tech boss to team principal when he superseded Maurizio Arrivabene left a void in Ferrari's engineering department which the Scuderia did not fill. Resta's return would perhaps lighten Binotto's current burden and workload at a time when Ferrari's internal organisation is once aclled into question.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.