New Alpine F1 boss refuses to set time-bound goals after pathetic 2025 season

Alpine F1 managing director Steve Nielsen has declined to set a timeline for the team's return to the front of the grid. Instead, the Briton stressed the importance of trusting the process and ensuring the right people are in the right roles as the foundation for long-term success.

The French team has undergone major changes in recent years, especially after they rebranded from Renault to Alpine in 2021. Those in charge at the time famously set in place a 100-race plan, which would have meant that the team was beginning to become successful in 2024 or 2025.

But this has not been the case as the Enstone-based squad endured a horrible 2025 season, finishing 10th and last in the constructors' standings. The management at the team has also been reshuffled, with Flavio Briatore returning as de facto team principal and Steve Nielsen joining as managing director in September.

Speaking at the final race of the 2025 season, Nielsen shared that he believes in a completely different approach as he refused to put a timeline on when Alpine would return to the top.

“I’m not a person who believes in a 100-race plan or a three-year plan or a five-year plan. I believe you put the best people you can get in the right positions, you give a clear mission, get the army marching all in the same direction, and you work as hard as you can and do the best job you can," said Nielsen. [via Motorsport.com] “You mill away at it, it’s a slow grinding process, and you hope, eventually, you do a better job than everybody else," he added.

It remains to be seen what Alpine can achieve amid a new regulations era, which is kicking off from 2026. They have also stopped production of their own Renault engines and will be racing with a Mercedes power unit in the back of their cars from next year onwards.

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Steve Nielsen previews Alpine's 2026 F1 season

Steve Nielsen at the Qatar Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Steve Nielsen has also claimed that he cannot predict where Alpine will lie in the pecking order come the 2026 F1 season. But the 61-year-old has assured the fans that their car will be "better" than it was in 2025.

Speaking about the upcoming year and beyond, Nielsen shared a pragmatic view on what is to be expected from the French team.

“I can tell you we’re building a better car next year than we have this year. I can’t tell you whether that will line up first, 10th or 20th on the grid," said Nielsen. "I’m confident we’ve made a step, but the other nine teams are doing the same, so you don’t know how much progress they’ve made," he added.

Nielsen also added that under him, Alpine are working on improving the structure within the organization and recruiting in areas that they deem weak. He concluded by saying that it will take more than just a few months or even a year to turn things around at the team.

Edited by Mitali