Eddie Jordan Criticizes Alpine’s F1 Management: Team Poised for Sale?

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has publicly criticized Alpine’s handling of its staff, cars, and drivers, suggesting the team might be on the brink of a sale. His candid views reveal internal turmoil and management issues within the team.

Key Takeaways:

• Eddie Jordan, a former team owner, has voiced strong criticism of Alpine F1’s management approach, hinting that Renault is losing interest and the team could be sold.
• The team’s struggles are partly due to internal politics leading to the dismissal of key personnel, negatively impacting its stability, and challenges in developing the A524 car.
• Currently at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with no points from the first two races, there’s speculation that drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly might look for opportunities away from Alpine.

In a recent episode of the ‘Formula For Success’ podcast, Eddie Jordan, a respected figure in the Formula 1 community, shared his frank assessment of Alpine’s current state. Jordan’s observations come in the wake of a series of management shifts and strategic decisions that have significantly impacted the team’s performance.

Last year, the Belgian Grand Prix weekend saw the departure of key figures like team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane, a move Jordan considers premature. The subsequent performance downturn, especially with the A524 car’s underperforming engine and additional weight, has only compounded the issues.

As the 2024 F1 season progresses, Alpine’s situation appears increasingly dire. After failing to earn any points in the first two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, they find themselves languishing at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship. This performance slump has led Jordan to predict that Alpine’s current drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, both capable of winning, might seek greener pastures at the end of the season.

Jordan’s candid comments on the podcast were unequivocal: “I think they got rid of Otmar prematurely. I think that was a mistake… At the moment, they are the most floundering team. It is absolutely embarrassing. I find it embarrassing to watch… I think it’s wide open for a sale. I think Renault have pulled back from it. They don’t want to spend the money on the engines and the engine for 2026 is such a big outlay in terms of development or cost, it’s frightening them even though the value of the team [is high]. I just feel that Alpine have been disgraceful in terms of not being able to perform for their drivers, for their team… To give them that car for which to compete in a World Championship is just unacceptable. Unacceptable… I wouldn’t put up with it. It’s shocking.”

Jordan’s assessment paints a grim picture of a once-promising team now struggling to find its footing. With key personnel gone, a car that fails to meet expectations, and drivers potentially eyeing exits, Alpine’s future in Formula 1 hangs in a precarious balance.