Wolff and Horner show interest in one of the 'rocks of F1'

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has shown interest in one of the recent departures at Alpine who he branded as one of the "rocks of Formula 1."

The French outfit recently severed its ties with many figures in its senior management amid a slump in performance and difference of opinion in direction, including Chief Executive Officer Laurent Rossi and Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer.

Among those was also longtime Sporting Director Alan Permane, whose 30+ years of experience has been a key part of Team Enstone's success over the years.

Wolff believes this experience is something that should not be overlooked, when speaking to media about him including RacingNews365: "Well Alan Permane is one of the rocks of Formula 1.

"One of the longest standing senior engineers in the sport and certainly someone with a lot of knowledge.

"I don't know about the ins and outs of the management reshuffle there, but there's a lot of respectable and top people in there.

"Definitely you shouldn't discount anyone of that seniority."

Horner: Won't be the last of Permane

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner adds that he feels more praise should be shown for someone who has been a stable hand at the team through their difficult periods.

"Whilst I've never worked with Alan Permane, I think sometimes there has to be respect shown for somebody that's put in 34 years of hard graft and been involved in World Championships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso," said Horner.

"Also he's been a steady hand during periods of that team going virtually into administration, out of administration, and into different ownership and so on. He's very much been a constant there during that that period and I think that earns respect and recognition.

"I'm sure he's a guy - as with Otmar - that won't be out of work [for long]. It won't be the last that you'll see of him in the pit lane, I've no doubt about that."