Abiteboul had been a Renault team principal since joining the F1 grid in 2016 but they have now left the company; Renault is rebranding as Alpine for 2021; New boss Laurent Rossi Alpine, new team leader yet to be confirmed
By Matt Morlidge
Last Updated: 11/01/21 2:53 pm
Renault Formula 1 longtime headliner Cyril Abiteboul has left the company and will no longer be in charge of the rebranded Alpine team in 2021 as expected.
Abiteboul had been leading F1 activity at Renault since before they returned to the grid five years ago and were thought to be tasked with ushering in a French team to a new era as Alpine F1. , their new name from this season onwards.
But Abiteboul has left Renault altogether, while Laurent Rossi is confirmed as the new Alpine CEO.
“I would like to thank the Groupe Renault for having trusted me for many years, especially with the relocation and rebuilding of the team from 2016,” Abiteboul said.
“The solid foundations of the racing team and organizations in France and England over the years have built the strategic evolution of the sport towards a more economically sustainable model, and more recently the project Alpine that gives a renewed sense of meaning and dynamism, all point to a very good route.
“I would like to thank Luca de Meo for his involvement in the construction of the Alpine Business Unit and I wish the new structure every success. “
The Alpine F1 team principal has not yet been confirmed, although executive director Marcin Budkowski was slammed for the post even before the Abiteboul announcement was made on Monday.
Davide Brivio, former head of the Suzuki Moto GP team, is also expected to enter the Alpine stable in some capacity.
Renault says Rossi, a former director of strategy and business development, will be ‘in charge of Alpine Cars, Sport, F1 and competition activity’ and will report to Groupe CEO Renault De Meo.
More to follow.