“A Bit of Arrogance or Overconfidence”: Ex-Renault Boss Slams Down Alpine After Disrespectful Sacking of Otmar Szafnauer

The F1 silly is a gift that keeps on giving and the 2023 edition has taken another turn. This time, the unforgiving silly season has taken Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer as its latest victim. Szafnauer becomes another name in the massive managerial shuffling F1 is currently experiencing. A week after CEO Laurent Rossi’s sacking, Alpine made the shocking announcement of serving the same judgment for the Romanian boss as well. However, according to an ex-Renault boss, the French team has become arrogant and overconfident.

Alpine is under a massive workforce shuffling. Apart from the CEO and team principal, Alpine has sacked sporting director Alan Permane. Apart from the shock dismissals, the team will lose Pat Fry to Williams and might gain the experience of Mattia Binotto in this merry-go-round. This massive shuffling has gained criticism and Cyril Abiteboul is among many criticizing his ex-employer, as quoted by F1 Maximaal.

“This shows dissatisfaction with the results and most likely a lack of patience on the part of the Renault group management committee,” Abiteboul said. “In addition to impatience, there may have been a bit of arrogance or overconfidence at the start of the season. If you don’t face reality, you can tell yourself stories after a while.” (Translated by Google) 

Read More: Days After Being Humiliated, Otmar Szafnauer Retaliates Against Alpine With Demeaning Revenge at Belgian GP

In fact, Abiteboul isn’t the only one criticizing this arrogant move that has upset the entire team as they head into the summer break. F1 veteran Peter Windsor also believes this is a massive misstep from Alpine.

Peter Windsor can’t wrap his head around the decision from Alpine to let both Otmar Szafnauer and Alan Permane go

Alpine shocked everyone with their decision right before the Belgian GP. The move from Alpine is bold, to say the least, but we are not sure how well it will play out for the team. This is the opinion of many experts, as everyone regards the two outgoing Alpine men highly. This is exactly why Windsor can’t wrap his head around these decisions.

“Otmar Szafnauer, the Team Principal, who moved to Alpine from Aston Martin; and to my mind, kind of brought with him BWT – one of the sponsors of Alpine, is leaving the team after this race. As is Alan Permane, one of the great stalwarts of Benetton, let alone of Renault and Alpine. One of the top guys in the pit lane, in my opinion – really, really good racing brain. So, all I can say is – Wow!”,” he said.

WATCH THIS STORY: Biggest Scandals in F1 History

The decision is made, and the wheels are in motion. No one can predict the future, but at the moment, the future of Alpine looks bleak. Although let’s give the team the benefit of the doubt for the time being!