'Ex-Alpine stalwart lined up for possible F1 return with AlphaTauri'

Former Alpine sporting director Alan Permane is being lined up for a new role with the rebranded AlphaTauri squad in the 2024 Formula 1 season, according to reports.

Permane left Alpine in mid-2023 after working for 34 years for the Enstone team in its various guises, including during the Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso championship-winning years.

His departure was announced over the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, with then-Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer also departing, with Bruno Famin made interim team boss.

With over three decades of experience in the paddock, Permane was going to be a big capture for any team, once he was contractually available.

Motorsport.com have now reported that the veteran engineer is set for a return to Grand Prix racing with AlphaTauri - as the team embarks on a new chapter following the departure of Franz Tost as boss.

After his departure was announced last summer, F1 team bosses were quick to praise Permane and his experience, with Toto Wolff describing him as "rock" of F1, with Red Bull's Christian Horner believing he had earned "respect and recognition".

For 2024, Laurent Mekies will become the new Team Principal of the Faenza-squad with former FIA Head of Single Seaters Peter Bayer already in place as the new CEO.

The team is also expected to undergo a re-brand from AlphaTauri - although the new name is yet to be confirmed.