The Enstone-based squad discovered itself within the firing line from Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi over the Miami GP weekend, as he lashed out at its lack of outcomes this 12 months.
“I am noting not solely an apparent lack of efficiency and rigour within the supply, but in addition doubtlessly a mind-set that isn’t as much as this staff’s previous requirements,” Rossi informed Canal+
Rossi additionally stated he was removed from impressed on the triple whammy of penalties Esteban Ocon earned in Bahrain, in addition to the issues that marred the squad’s weekend in Baku.
“I didn’t like the primary grand prix, as a result of there was lots of – I am sorry for saying this – amateurishness, which led to a outcome that wasn’t proper. It was mediocre, unhealthy.
“And the final race in Baku was tremendously just like the one in Bahrain. That isn’t acceptable.”
Regardless of the exceptional feedback inflicting a stir, Szafnauer insists that he didn’t learn any tales regarding the matter.
And, moreover, he stated that any such criticisms which might be made public change completely nothing by way of the dedication contained in the staff to do higher.
“Studying one thing like that on paper places no extra strain [on us],” he stated, when requested by Motorsport.com if there was a larger must do higher now.
“Everybody needs to do effectively right here. We’re very effectively skilled, with technicians and engineers on the highest degree, and we put strain on ourselves. So, we simply have to repair it.”
Pierre Gasly, Alpine A523
Photograph by: Alpine
Szafnauer stated that it didn’t take remarks from Rossi to make the staff realise that it was not doing all that was anticipated of it this 12 months.
“I noticed that you just wrote one thing as a result of I noticed the headline, however I have never had time to learn it,” he stated.
“However we underperformed in Baku. The drivers bumped into one another in Australia, and I believe on the first race, we had a myriad of penalties, beginning with Esteban being misplaced.
“It hasn’t been a easy begin to the season and possibly that is why he made the feedback. However I’ve to learn them.”
Szafnauer stated that the precedence for the staff was studying from every little thing that has gone mistaken this 12 months and make modifications to processes and infrastructure to make sure no repeat.
“All we are able to do when now we have points like Baku is use and perceive the foundation explanation for why it occurred, and ensure we both put the method or the folks in place in order that it does not occur once more,” he stated.
“We had an engine fireplace on one facet, and we have got to ensure that does not occur. After which we had some finger bother on the opposite facet. With finger bother, when you perceive the way it occurs, there’s methods to mitigate that. That is what we’ll do. We have performed it already. It did not occur right here.”
Laurent Rossi, Alpine F1 Crew CEO
Photograph by: Alpine
Rossi’s remarks had been clearly put on the market to get a message throughout, though it’s unclear what the instant motivation was.
He may have been making an attempt to deflect strain away from himself, or they may very well be laying the groundwork for modifications he’s planning on the staff.
Szafnauer stated he had no direct understanding of why Rossi made the assertion, however he did plan to seek out out.
He added: “I don’t know and you will have to ask him. I will be asking him. This weekend was so busy that I have never had an opportunity to debate it.”
