The number was announced as the timeline for Alpine to work its way to the front of the F1 field after Szafnauer was put in charge of the Enstone team at the start of 2022.
However, a recent management reshuffle at Renault’s Alpine division has seen the sportscar company’s former CEO Laurent Rossi moved aside.
Since Rossi appointed Szafnauer, there has been speculation regarding the latter’s role as the head of the F1 team. The recent disappointment of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly’s double retirement in Hungary, combined with the first-corner clash, has further fueled this speculation.
Szafnauer, on the other hand, maintains his belief that Renault’s top executive, de Meo, will adhere to the initial timetable and provide him with sufficient time to transform the team.
“When asked about the influence of Rossi’s move, Szafnauer pointed out that Laurent is currently engaged in unique initiatives. While it is true that Laurent hired me, Luca also played a significant role in my recruitment. Ultimately, it was Luca de Meo who personally approached me and persuaded me to become part of his venture.”
“I cannot reword.”
“It requires time. Everyone has needed time. I am aware that Luca is a trustworthy person, and he promised me to win 100 races as a starting point. Occasionally, you may need to temporarily regress in order to make greater progress.”
I am confident that Luca will honor his promise and provide me with the required time for the 100 races.
Pierre Gasly, Alpine A523, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A523
Photo by: Alpine
Szafnauer emphasized that it took time for others to develop successful projects: “As you are aware, Mercedes acquired a team that had already won a championship, and it took them five years to achieve victory once more.
Red Bull has achieved success by acquiring Jaguar, a team that was performing moderately. It took them a span of five years to begin achieving victories.
“It appears that a duration of four to five years is necessary for achieving this. Completing one hundred races is an attainable goal, and we are actively continuing our efforts towards it.”
Szafnauer recognized that having consistent leadership can be crucial for such endeavors, as demonstrated by the enduring tenures of Toto Wolff at Mercedes and Christian Horner at Red Bull.
He stated that stability is extremely crucial in these types of teams, particularly when you are in charge of a group of 950-1000 individuals.
“We are all striving to form the most exceptional teams possible, so we actively seek out individuals who excel in areas where we may be lacking.”
“A team leader makes a significant effort to persuade them to become part of the team, and if Toto were to say, ‘Hey, come join me from anywhere, but I will be departing in six months or a year and a half,’ it may cause hesitation among those who are undecided about joining.”
Christian and Toto have spent a significant amount of time in that place, and the result of this is that it improves and supports the process of attracting suitable individuals.
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