Performance is everything in Formula 1, and if you’re at the back of the grid your position in the sport will be questioned.
There’s little surprise to hear rumours that Alpine’s parent company Renault could consider a takeover of its race team. It languishes on zero points along with Sauber and Williams, and it doesn’t have the excuse of being a ‘garagiste’ team (a term coined by Enzo Ferrari) in being a full-blown factory outfit.
After some high-profile exits – with Otmar Szafnauer, Alan Permane and Pat Fry followed out of the door by the recent resignations of technical director Matt Harman, head of aero Dirk de Beer and Enstone stalwart Bob Bell – it’s a team in turmoil.
Filling the back row in the Bahrain opener was a humbling experience, and its cars have only escaped Q1 twice in four races. There are potential buyers out there, but a demand by Renault to use its engines would limit the field – and exclude Andretti’s long-term plans with Cadillac.
Despite Alpine’s denials of it being for sale, it’s one to watch…
By: Charles Bradley, Global Editor in Chief
Motorsport.com | 
