Dhe new strong man of the traditional French racing team is big. Almost as great as the nation’s expectations of Laurent Rossi. The Formula 1 newcomer has taken over the reins at Alpine, the new name of the old Renault team, for the current season. After acute unsuccessfulness in recent years, he achieved the first Grand Prix victory for Alpine: In Hungary, Esteban Ocon drove sensationally and happily to first place. Before Sebastian Vettel, who was later disqualified.
The previous Renault team won the last time in 2008 – when they were behind the wheel: Fernando Alonso. The ex-world champion is now at the wheel for the Alpine alongside Ocon. In an interview, Rossi reveals how the team benefits from his experience and why they don’t want to attack until 2024.
Too little gasoline in the tank – Vettel subsequently disqualified
Sebastian Vettel has been disqualified after his second place in the Hungarian Grand Prix. After the race he had too little gasoline in the tank. Lewis Hamilton moved up to second in the sensational victory of Frenchman Esteban Ocon.
WORLD: Herr Rossi, how would you describe your first few months at Alpine in three words?
Laurent Rossi: Busy, exciting, challenging.
WORLD: Which of these points stands out in particular?
Rossi: Definitely busy. I first had to learn and understand a lot because I didn’t come from the Formula 1 side. It’s easier for me on the auto side. A lot was about figuring out what to change in the future in order to take the next step. There is still a lot to be done. We develop a complete brand.
WORLD: One of those three points would probably be enough work for a year, right? Especially when you’re developing a car for the next season with new rules at the same time …
Rossi: Yeah, it’s a lot of work. But I have good people around me. That’s the trick.
Esteban Ocon celebrates his sensational victory on the Hungoraring in Hungary
Quelle: pa/Hasan Bratic
WORLD: They also called “challenging”. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Rossi: There isn’t one that really stands out. But one of the biggest challenges was to maintain our performance for this year while most of the team’s energy is already focused on the car for next year. All teams have the problem, but it also depends on where the team is currently. It’s no secret that overall we’re a little weaker than last year. We couldn’t turn the season off and let the team slip. For us as a works team, working on the next car is a special challenge because we not only work on the chassis, but also on the engine.
WORLD: Organizing a victory party in Hungary for Esteban Ocon was probably also a pleasant challenge.
Rossi: It was actually a challenge because we hadn’t planned on it. But that was very easy in the end. It was a great celebration.
Laurent Rossi with his star Fernando Alonso
Source: pa / HOCH ZWEI
WORLD: What is your goal for 2022 if the new rules take effect?
Rossi: It would be nice if we could be part of the top three. But realistically, the most important thing is to improve. We want to finish fifth this season, so we want to keep our position. From then on, we want to improve every year. According to our plan, by 2024 we should be ready to win Grand Prix races. Maybe the World Cup, too, but that’s another matter. Fourth next year, third year after next … and so on. This is our plan.
WORLD: How much are you looking to 2022?
Rossi: We concentrate 95 percent on the new car. Since Baku (in June, ed.) we made the change. The wind tunnel is already for the new car. We have only made small changes to the current car that do not require any major tests.
WORLD: What effects does the cost cap actually have for your team?
Rossi: He definitely helps us. The teams that won the title or are fighting for it in the top three had a significantly higher budget. We just carry on as before while others have to cut their costs. That balances the field a little. For us this is definitely an opportunity.
WORLD: When will that be reflected?
Rossi: We expect to be able to catch up on a few things in the next three or four years.
WORLD: Your driver pairing this year with the experienced Fernando Alonso and the comparatively young Esteban Ocon is exciting. Does this combination release a special energy?
Rossi: Definitive. Even if they are of different ages, they have the same hunger for feedback and the same preferences when it comes to the car. They bring their own energy and methodology, but both sides of the garage are still working in a similar direction. That helps us a lot. The drivers, but also the engineers, can exchange ideas. In qualifying, Fernando and Esteban’s times were partly quite similar because they both get the same out of the car. Both give good feedback and the atmosphere is great. Esteban is sure to be inspired by Fernando. Fernando demands perfection, but he gives it too. Esteban does that too. It’s a great situation for both of them.
Alonso and Ocon get along well on and off the track
What: pa / DPPI media / FLORENT GOODEN
WORLD: So Alonso is also a kind of mentor for Esteban Ocon?
Rossi: Esteban has a natural disposition when it comes to feedback and challenges. But when you see a two-time world champion, that is of course an incentive. He can also learn things from Fernando.
WORLD: It is not a matter of course in Formula 1 that drivers copy things from one another and share it openly …
Rossi: We’re really lucky. If both were first or second, maybe that would stop too. But it is currently working very well. The car isn’t the fastest and we all have to work together to improve it. And that works great.
WORLD: You once said in an interview with a Spanish newspaper that Alonso at Alpine is a bit like Messi at PSG …
Rossi: Yes, they chatted me in a bit because I’m a big football fan (laughs). I didn’t really want to use Messi as a comparison because Fernando is a huge Real Madrid fan. But it’s interesting and a good comparison. When you bring such a super expert into a team, it gives the whole group a boost. You can tell from the results. So far, Messi has not had this effect at PSG, but it will definitely come. I live in Paris, I am a huge soccer fan and have often seen the influence of great players on the team. When Messi walks into a dressing room, it’s like the teacher suddenly walking into the classroom. It’s the same with Fernando. When he walks into the room or the garage, everyone looks at him. He is a world champion and a legend of the sport. Everyone is more attentive and gives a little more.
WORLD: You came to the team around the same time as Fernando, but can you explain a little bit what has changed with him at Alpine?
Rossi: I’ve been warned many times that Fernando left mixed feelings with his ex-teams. But he’s actually a great guy that you can work with very well. I think it was often difficult for him in an Anglo-Saxon world as the only non-Anglo-Saxon. A cultural thing. I know that from my own experience, something like that can have a big effect. Misunderstandings can arise when you interpret things differently. I am very satisfied with our two drivers. They are the perfect gentlemen and fantastic teammates.
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