Alpine to 'fix a million details' in F1 recovery bid

Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen has highlighted that a “common sense” approach should be taken by the team as it looks to improve its F1 form in the coming years, and fix what he has described as "a million details".

The Enstone-based squad has suffered from an unstable management structure over the past few years, involving various leadership changes.

At present, Flavio Briatore is the de facto team boss at Alpine and has Nielsen at his side. The Briton returned to the squad late last year following a stint at the FIA.

Nielsen was previously part of the team as its sporting director during its championship-winning years with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006, when it was known as Renault.

When asked what had impressed him on his return to Alpine, Nielsen told select media, including RacingNews365, at the end of last season: “I mean, it’s a cliché, but it’s a racing team. 

“It's full of people with a racing spirit. It’s had mixed results recently, but I think there’s a passion and a will to put it back to where it has been in the past. 

“The dedication is huge, from the top to the bottom of the company.”

Alpine call for patience

Alpine endured a difficult 2025 F1 campaign, finishing rock-bottom in the constructors' championships.

As it looks to make steps up the order in the coming years, Nielsen labelled patience and common sense as the key to recovery. 

"It’s my job to coordinate that, strengthen the areas that are good, re-strengthen the areas where we are weak, and bring some common sense and consistency to the management," he said. 

"There have been too many changes over the last few years at Enstone. 

"I don't criticise any of my predecessors, but it's time for patience, common sense, and consistency. 

"We want the team to be better, and patience and Formula 1 don't go well together, but that’s the task. 

"We have to spend the next few years building, and it’s a slow, grinding process. It’s F1 - there are no magic bullets. 

"You just have to fix a million details - in places, people. More than anything, it’s a people business. I've kind of relearned that lesson, if you like.”