Alpine Needs 'Patience, Common Sense, and Consistency,' Says Steve Nielsen

Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen emphasizes that the Enstone-based team requires "patience, common sense, and consistency" to navigate its path back to the front of Formula 1. Nielsen, who joined in September, believes that after numerous management changes, it's time for stability and a slow, grinding process of reconstruction rather than expecting quick fixes.

Why it matters:

After a turbulent period marked by significant management reshuffles and a disappointing 2025 season where Alpine finished last in the constructors' championship, Steve Nielsen's call for stability and a long-term approach signals a crucial shift in strategy. His perspective directly contrasts with Flavio Briatore's more immediate ambitions for 2026, highlighting an internal debate on the timeline for Alpine's resurgence and the realistic challenges ahead.

The Details:

• Leadership Stability: Nielsen joined Alpine in September 2025, filling a managing director role that had seen several changes, including the sudden departure of Oliver Oakes. His arrival coincided with Flavio Briatore's appointment as executive advisor in June, aiming to stabilize the leadership structure.
• A New Approach: Nielsen criticizes the "too many changes over the last few years" at Enstone, advocating for "patience, common sense, and consistency" as the core principles for rebuilding the team.
• Long-term View vs. Short-term Ambition: While Briatore has publicly stated expectations for Alpine to be competitive by 2026, challenging for podiums under new regulations and with a Mercedes customer power unit deal, Nielsen warns against "magic bullets."
• Slow Reconstruction: Nielsen emphasizes that the team faces a "slow, grinding process" of rebuilding, focusing on fixing "a million details" related to people and processes, underscoring that F1 is fundamentally a "people business."
• 2025 Performance: The team's decision to halt car development by June 2025 left them significantly behind midfield rivals, contributing to their last-place finish in the constructors' championship. Nielsen acknowledged the surprise at rivals' late-season development.

The Big Picture:

Alpine's current situation reflects the immense pressures and complexities of competing at the highest level of motorsport. Despite having a racing spirit and dedicated personnel, the lack of a consistent long-term strategy, coupled with frequent leadership changes, has hampered their progress. Nielsen's push for stability and a gradual improvement process suggests a more grounded understanding of the challenges, contrasting with previous ambitious, and often unmet, targets.

What's next:

• Rebuilding Phase: The immediate future for Alpine will be focused on internal restructuring and incremental improvements rather than expecting a sudden leap to the front of the grid.
• 2026 Regulations: While Briatore eyes 2026 as a critical year for competitiveness due to new regulations and the Mercedes power unit deal, Nielsen's comments imply that success will hinge on sustained effort and internal consolidation over the next few years.
• Leadership Coordination: Nielsen's role will involve coordinating the team's efforts, strengthening both strong and weak areas, and instilling common sense and consistency into management, aiming to harness the existing passion within the team to restore its past glory.