Alpine to part ways with Szafnauer and Permane after Belgian GP!

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Alpine has announced that it will part ways with current team principal Otmar Szafnauer and long-standing sporting director Alan Permane after this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.

The Enstone squad says that both Szafbauer and Permane will assume their normal duties this weekend at Spa ahead of their exit from the team – by mutual agreement according to Alpine – after the race weekend.

"The team would like to thank Otmar for his hard work over the past 18 months and for leading the team in achieving fourth place in the 2022 Constructors' Championship," Alpine said in a statement released on Friday.

"The team wishes him the best for the future.

"Alan will also continue his role this weekend in Belgium before departing ahead of the summer break. After 34 distinguished years at Enstone, the team extends its thanks to Alan and wishes him the best in his future endeavours."

Read also: Alpine puts Famin in charge of all motorsport activities

Alpine also confirmed that chief technical officer Pat Fry will also leave the team, with the Briton moving to Williams where he will assume the role of technical director for the Grove-based squad.

Bruno Famin, VP, Alpine Motorsports, will assume the role of Interim Team Principal of BWT Alpine F1 Team from the Dutch Grand Prix onwards.

Current Alpine Academy Director Julian Rouse is named Interim Sporting Director, with Matt Harman leading the technical team at Enstone. Both men will report to Bruno Famin.

Alpine's wholesale changes, which equate to either a proper implosion or a revolution, have come in the wake of an upper management reshuffling that first saw Famin, the man at the helm of Renault's F1 engine department in Viry-Châtillon, take over Alpine's sporting activities.

However, shortly after, Alpine CEO Laurent CEO was replaced by Philippe Krief, the French manufacturer's vice president of engineering and product performance.

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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.