Alpine to introduce a new three-pillared technical structure

Following their dismal start to the 2024 F1 season, Formula One's Anglo-French outfit Alpine have announced that they will introduce a three-pillared technical structure in a bid to boost their competitiveness.

Just two days after the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Alpine have introduced a series of organisational changes throughout its technical teams. Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer have chosen to leave the team, although Harman still attended last weekend's Manama F1 race.

The Enstone-based outfit has elected to take a new three-pillared approach for the future. The team has created three specialised technical roles: Technical Director (Performance), Technical Director (Aerodynamics) and Technical Director (Engineering), replacing the previous structure of a singular Technical Director.

The decision comes after a period of disappointing results, where the team has fallen from finishing fourth in the 2022 Championship to sixth in 2023, missing several key targets in its ambitions to reach the front of the grid.

Joe Burnell will work as Technical Director (Engineering), David Wheater will take on the role of Technical Director (Aerodynamics) and Ciaron Pilbeam as Technical Director (Performance).

The three will work closely together and report to Team Principal Bruno Famin, with immediate effect. On a power unit side, the technical team in Viry is led by Technical Director (Power Unit) Eric Meignan who continues to work on the 2026 PU project. The team has also revealed that John Woods and Audrey Vastroux have started their work as Chief Operating Officers with the former at Enstone and the latter at Viry-Chatillon.

Bruno Famin, Team Principal: “We have decided to make these organisational changes as we can clearly see that we are not where we want nor need to be in terms of performance level and it is time to take another step in terms of organisation and people. The new three-pillared structure with three Technical Directors, each specialising in different areas, will bring better work and collaboration across our technical areas and contribute to delivering performance from the factories to the race track.

"I trust fully in the abilities of Joe, David and Ciaron to work closely together in bringing the team the performance and improvements that it needs. Finally, I would like to thank Matt and Dirk for their efforts over the last couple of years at the team and wish them the very best in the next chapter of their careers.”