Alpine's new management conducting a more holistic review as the squad's Enstone facility also under the scanner, claims new team boss

Alpine's new team principal, Oliver Oakes, recently talked about how the French-British team will now be assessing the team's engine and chassis factories in Viry-Châtillon and Enstone, respectively. This decision comes in light of the team's recent slump in performance.

In 2022, Alpine ended the season in fourth place in the constructors' championship, beating McLaren by 14 points. They were at the top of the midfield table, behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull.

In 2023, however, they experienced a major downfall in performance as they ended up in sixth in the constructors' championship. In 2024, they are currently in eighth place in the table and continue to struggle even more.

In recent times, the team faced several issues with their power units, which were developed in Viry-Châtillon, France. However, the team reckons that their chassis department in Enstone must also be looked at and improved.

As quoted by The Race, Oakes mentioned that the team will review the factory at Viry-Châtillon, and the Enstone-based plant will also come under the scanner. With this assessment, the team would try to push forward in F1, especially after 2026, when the FIA introduces new power unit regulations.

"There's obviously certain sensitive topics at the moment, they've been spoken about a lot - I think what hasn't been spoken about much is about what we're planning to do in Enstone. Viry's undergoing a bit of an assessment of the project and the same thing's going on at Enstone," Oakes said.

"We need to understand, actually, where we are good, where we need to improve and also what changes need to be made as a small evolution and step forward, particularly as we are coming into that transition now with '26 on the horizon. It is a pretty big time in F1 and from my point of view, it's quite fortunate to have landed straight after the [August] shutdown," he added.

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Alpine team principal willing to lead the team's Enstone camp along with Flavio Briatore

Alpine's new team boss Oliver Oakes praised the team's Enstone factory for their skill but added that they need some form of leadership, which he believes he and Flavio Briatore can offer.

As quoted by The Race, he understands that being a team principal, the pressure of leading all factories of the team also comes to him. He believes Alpine's UK factory now has a proper vision and leadership with him and Briatore.

"Enstone knows what it's doing, it just genuinely needs some leadership, and it needs support. I'm going to say this because it's on my shoulders, but I think it's actually got a clear vision now and clear leadership with me and Flavio there," Oakes said.

After interim team principal Bruno Famin stepped away from the team in July 2024, Alpine hired Oakes as the new team boss. They also brought an old face to the team, as Flavio Briatore returned with the team as special supervisor.