Why doesn't anyone want to drive for Alpine?

[AndreasDavour]

I think these last days have shown why you wouldn't want to drive for Alpine. They have an internal organization that just don't work, and ironically it's Szafnauer that has exemplified it so well. Poor man, he is really showing how even he isn't supported from the management.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by AndreasDavour

I think these last days have shown why you wouldn't want to drive for Alpine. They have an internal organization that just don't work, and ironically it's Szafnauer that has exemplified it so well. Poor man, he is really showing how even he isn't supported from the management.

I think this could be true. That it appears to be an organization in transition. Is that orderly, chaotic or sometimes a bit of both? Anyone who has gone through this understands that it be quite unnerving and you may feel sense of powerlessness.

Richard

[S griffin]

Gasly seems to want to drive for Alpine, then again a French driver wanting to drive for a French team probably makes sense

[AndreasDavour]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Gasly seems to want to drive for Alpine, then again a French driver wanting to drive for a French team probably makes sense

I think it is the same logic that make some drivers want to drive a red car just because it's red. The fact that Alpine cares more about you nationality than your capability surely is a sign they are lost at sea. I still think they should have let Ocon go, but they probably kept him because of his nationality.

[dsg]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

While Szafnauer's getting a lot of flack, what was Laurent Rossi's role in this? He's the chief exec after all.

Rossi's role should certainly be questioned, however unlike Szafnauer he had the sense to stay quiet rather than blaming Piastri for what it turns out is his and the team's inadequacies

[E.B]

Originally Posted by dsg

Rossi's role should certainly be questioned, however unlike Szafnauer he had the sense to stay quiet rather than blaming Piastri for what it turns out is his and the team's inadequacies

Rossi is the one who has been named as having had all the discussions with Mark Webber and is also the name mentioned in terms of the communication between the Piastri side and Alpine from the initial 'Heads of Agreement' back in November '21 through.
That much has been revealed in the Autosport full account linked earlier, and also other media.

[AndreasDavour]

Wasn't he also the one Alonso said he talked to, bypassing Otmar?

[E.B]

Originally Posted by AndreasDavour

Wasn't he also the one Alonso said he talked to, bypassing Otmar?

Yes.... It would appear contracts were 'his baby'. (Speculation on my part based on what I have read of both Alonso and Piastri's accounts of process and timeline).

[dsg]

Originally Posted by E.B

Rossi is the one

That's why I said his role in the matter should be questioned but he didn't go blustering to the media like an idiot and call into question Piastri's ethics and character the way Szafnauer did.

What's the saying, "better to stay quiet and let people think you're a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt".

[dsg]

Originally Posted by E.B

Yes.... It would appear contracts were 'his baby'. (Speculation on my part based on what I have read of both Alonso and Piastri's accounts of process and timeline).

That makes Szafnauer's behaviour appear even more foolish.

[S griffin]

Yes Otmar really has suffered from foot in mouth disease lately

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by dsg

That makes Szafnauer's behaviour appear even more foolish.

He clearly left AM because he was not master of his own destiny but it would seem he has gone from the frying pan into the fire

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by dsg

What's the saying, "better to stay quiet and let people think you're a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt".

Such a great quote.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by dsg

That's why I said his role in the matter should be questioned but he didn't go blustering to the media like an idiot and call into question Piastri's ethics and character the way Szafnauer did.

What's the saying, "better to stay quiet and let people think you're a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt".

Interesting. Rossi speaks.
https://racer.com/2022/09/11/alpine-...tter-this-way/

Is this damage control or is there an alternative point of view. Do we have ALL the background.

Also note this.
Zak has now said he's very happy with Felix and there is a floating rumor that Palou may stay at CGR.

[AndreasDavour]

I just listened to Midweek Motorsport, and they said that apparently Alpine had told Piastri he was lined up for a drive at Williams, and then at Alpine's sportscar program! I am thinking Rossi might have been better served by keeping his mouth shut.

[Mike Harte]

With Alpine now saying that they want an experienced driver in the team, could this possibly be heralding a return by Danny Ric?

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

With Alpine now saying that they want an experienced driver in the team, could this possibly be heralding a return by Danny Ric?

Or Nico Hulkenberg?I think Alpine might want a placeholder driver for 2023 and then either an out of contract Gasly or depending on his 2023 F2 results Doohan.
You would think if Williams are too stupid to replace Latifi with him De Vries would be a great choice.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by Alan52

Or Nico Hulkenberg?I think Alpine might want a placeholder driver for 2023 and then either an out of contract Gasly or depending on his 2023 F2 results Doohan.
You would think if Williams are too stupid to replace Latifi with him De Vries would be a great choice.

That (De Vries)may be happening....

[Alan52]

Originally Posted by Alan52

Or Nico Hulkenberg?I think Alpine might want a placeholder driver for 2023 and then either an out of contract Gasly or depending on his 2023 F2 results Doohan.
You would think if Williams are too stupid to replace Latifi with him De Vries would be a great choice.

Obviously meant “to not replace Latifi with De Vries”

[S griffin]

Doohan is now being linked with the Alpine seat. Seems they can't get enough of the young Aussies

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Doohan is now being linked with the Alpine seat. Seems they can't get enough of the young Aussies

Can't see it, not for next year anyway. He's just not ready. Too many errors and seems to blame everyone else in an accident.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Can't see it, not for next year anyway. He's just not ready. Too many errors and seems to blame everyone else in an accident.

Totally agree. He has had a couple of decent results recently, but he makes too many mistakes and needs another year in F2 to sort out the rough edges. Two fine days maketh not summer as they say.

[S griffin]

You do wonder if Alpine will only use him as a last resort if they can't get Gasly or Ricciardo

[Casper]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Can't see it, not for next year anyway. He's just not ready. Too many errors and seems to blame everyone else in an accident.

Like a lot of F1 aspirants he has done nothing from the time he was very young except drive karts and cars. His father even became the manager of the Australian Karting association to ensure his son's career went down the path that daddy wanted for his son. I can see that Doohan & Schumacher might not be the gifted prodigy that some would like despite both of them having similar backgrounds of successful fathers and unlimited money being thrown at their careers. Ferrari have the script already written if they think Schumacher can live up to it, Doohan not so much.

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by S griffin

You do wonder if Alpine will only use him as a last resort if they can't get Gasly or Ricciardo

Can’t get Ricciardo????