Alpine part ways with Executive Director Marcin Budkowski

It’s all change at Alpine with the French team announcing they have parted ways with Executive Director Marcin Budkowski.

Alpine say their CEO Laurent Rossi – who attends the majority of races with the F1 team – will “temporarily” run the operation “to allow everyone to focus on next season’s preparations”.

Rossi said: “I would like to thank Marcin Budkowski for his commitment and contribution to the team’s results over the last four years.

“The team is fully focused on getting the car ready for the first race in Bahrain and deliver a step beyond in performance.”

Budkowski added: “I truly enjoyed being part of the leadership team of Renault then Alpine F1 Team, working with such a talented and dedicated group of people.

“I will be watching the team’s progress fondly in the seasons to come.”

Budkowski’s departure brings to an end a three-year stint at the team, having joined in 2018 from the FIA.

Following the departure of Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul – and in tandem with the rebranding of the team as Alpine – the French manufacturer created a three-pronged leadership team with Rossi, Budkowski and Davide Brivio, who joined from MotoGP operation Suzuki.

Alpine secured their first win through Esteban Ocon in Hungary and had a strong end to the year which culminated in them beating AlphaTauri to fifth in the constructors’ championship.

Rossi took over as CEO ahead of last season and has since been conducting a review of the team, including the management structure.