The Alpine Camp has been the subject of numerous headlines in recent days. The team, in particular, has had a difficult start to the season, with only 14 points collected after missing some of the significant developments prior to the season’s start. That dismal performance has led the team’s CEO to criticize the team publicly. As a result of its poor performance, the CEO of the team openly criticized Esteban Ocon and Co. Since Alpine failed to perform well and didn’t succeed in giving the top three teams a real battle, fans are already criticizing the French squad for failing to live up to their ambitious “100 Race” objectives. What is the “100 race plan?”
According to Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, The Enstone team must be competitive in the most elite division of motorsport after 100 races. When Renault regained ownership of the team in 2016, they made a five-year strategy to advance the team to the point where they could compete with the top three of the sport.
However, the re-badged Alpine failed to achieve the set objectives. The Enstone-based organization then started a 100 Race program again last year, which has now completed the first quarter. The fans have grown impatient as the 100 Race plan has dragged on. Otmar Szafnauer, however, appeared in the media and provided a plausible defense.
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⚠️ | Alpine "still have 75 races" left in their 100-race plan to the front of F1, says Otmar Szafnauer.
Szafnauer explains that new infrastructure will help push the team forward.https://t.co/sN6UNgOFwj
— formularacers (@formularacers_) May 16, 2023
Otmar Szafnauer describes what the existing plans cover amid the belief that more personnel and infrastructure are needed to make the plan reality. He went on to explain that the strategy that was implemented included tools like Simulators and new software. As per race, the Alpine team boss said, “There’s around 75 races [left in the plan]. It’s three and a half years. And within that three and a half years, you get a new simulator, you get a new head of simulation, you get a new [software] system. They are things to come. Once they come then we’ll take those steps.”
The fans, who have over the years only watched their favorite team get mired in the midfield fight, didn’t take his optimism well. As a result, fans’ diverse reactions have flooded the Twitter comments area.
F1 fans on Twitter attack Otmar Szafnauer for failing to fulfill the promise
By the end of 2020, it appeared that Renault was not content with mediocrity and, under the direction of Luca de Meo and Laurent Rossi, the team’s organizational structure was changed. Abiteboul was removed, and Alpine was established. Otmar Szafnauer was brought in by the Alpine squad in 2022 to aid in the rise, but he hasn’t had the kind of influence yet that was expected.
All the structural changes, though, failed to help the squad succeed. And considering the team’s disappointing streak from last year, which has finally driven the supporters insane, continues this year, here are a few responses.
This is the 100-race plan that they implemented 4 years into their 5 year plan when they were called Renault, right? Ok. https://t.co/1T0A32PyQa
— Sarrah (@Siiel12) May 16, 2023
Didn’t they say this 100 races ago. What a joke of a team. Will always be a midfield team. Need estie out asap. https://t.co/T2GkdDL2ig
— Mitchell | McBrick era 🥶 (@F1_Mitchell) May 16, 2023
They started this in 2018😭😭 https://t.co/Gh8OqGhxcN
— Ajinkya. Deshmukh (@ajinkya__18) May 16, 2023
While mocking the Enstone team, several of them even brought up the most recent Laurent Rossi criticism.
Yes…but you only have 19 races to finish P4 in the Constructors' Championship or you will have failed according to Rossi…😂😂 https://t.co/QgEyVHLhlm
— RenaultFan1 (@RenaultFan1) May 16, 2023
Didn't they start their "100 race plan" in like 2017? Or is time feeling like it's progressing that slowly in F1?
I could be waffling so I'll refrain from chatting shit for now. https://t.co/PsqIbB7hbN
— JSR 🇳🇴🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@JSRSnakez) May 16, 2023
wait till you find out that the 100 race plan is preparation for the 1,000 hour plan! https://t.co/gxXlhyhBdC
— 🇯🇲1ntern🇯🇲 (@Unpaid1ntern) May 16, 2023
Amidst the mockery, fans were also seen giving their suggestions to the team.
Infrastructures are good but if you don't change some crucial personnel you're getting the same results https://t.co/HBBYx5ygMD
— hars-labour (@farsejaire) May 16, 2023
I speak for everyone when I say we want and love Alpine's downfall https://t.co/xIyYiANCpA
— 🦁🔥 (@goateddutchman) May 17, 2023
WATCH THIS STORY: How Do Sprint Races Work at an F1 Grand Prix?
The longest 5-year plan I’ve ever seen… https://t.co/UsrfMCTYnX
— Josh Wilcock (@JustJoshingF1) May 17, 2023
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You won’t have 75 races lmfao https://t.co/9RZXTSQ8tZ pic.twitter.com/K194LcPpVI
— Natnael Guliano 🏁 (@natgracing) May 16, 2023
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As time goes on, every team is introducing upgrades. So, do you believe Alpine would be able to provide such a modification to its A523 to compete with Mercedes and Ferrari?