50: Alpine Changes, Leclerc's Next Move and Williams Under Vowles
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The latest Flat Chat podcast from GP Racing magazine weighs up Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc\\u2019s next move and delves into the chaos at the Alpine F1 team. \\xa0
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\\nThe squad formerly known as Toleman, Benetton, Renault, Lotus, Renault again and now Alpine has had many names above the door over the past 40 years. And, recently, plenty of leaders who have been shown the (revolving) door after failing to meet the aspirations of those who ultimately pay the bills.\\xa0
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\\nAhead of the Belgian Grand Prix team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane became the latest casualties. At the same time it was revealed senior engineer Pat Fry was to become chief technical officer at Williams, amid strong suggestions that a toxic atmosphere created by former CEO Laurent Rossi was a reason for Fry choosing to leave.\\xa0
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\\nGP Racing columnists Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew join editor Stuart Codling to analyse the implications of these latest moves. As Alpine embarks on an ambitious expansion of its road car line-up and accompanying sales, is this a sign Renault Group boss Luca de Meo wants the team to be competitive earlier than its previous 100-race target?\\xa0
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\\nAnd have the latest departures had as big an impact on staff morale at Enstone as claimed?\\xa0
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\\nThe cover story of this month\\u2019s GP Racing focuses on Charles Leclerc\\u2019s next moves. While it\\u2019s unlikely he would move to either Red Bull or Mercedes in the short term, it\\u2019s clear the relationship with Ferrari is strained.\\xa0
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\\nThe Scuderia and its loyal tifosi like to draw parallels between Leclerc and Gilles Villeneuve. Both brave, both occasionally prone to messy mistakes while pushing too hard \\u2013 and might Leclerc, like Villeneuve, be contemplating a future elsewhere?\\xa0
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\\nThis month\\u2019s GP Racing also celebrates Williams hitting its 800th grand prix with a package including an exclusive interview with team principal James Vowles. The former Mercedes engineer and chief strategist opens up about his fight to get into Formula 1 in the first place, early learnings at a struggling BAR-Honda, his role in changing the face of race strategy, and why the Williams team\\u2019s new owners aren\\u2019t looking to cash out any time soon.\\xa0
'
\\n
\\nThe squad formerly known as Toleman, Benetton, Renault, Lotus, Renault again and now Alpine has had many names above the door over the past 40 years. And, recently, plenty of leaders who have been shown the (revolving) door after failing to meet the aspirations of those who ultimately pay the bills.\\xa0
\\n
\\nAhead of the Belgian Grand Prix team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane became the latest casualties. At the same time it was revealed senior engineer Pat Fry was to become chief technical officer at Williams, amid strong suggestions that a toxic atmosphere created by former CEO Laurent Rossi was a reason for Fry choosing to leave.\\xa0
\\n
\\nGP Racing columnists Mark Gallagher and Matt Kew join editor Stuart Codling to analyse the implications of these latest moves. As Alpine embarks on an ambitious expansion of its road car line-up and accompanying sales, is this a sign Renault Group boss Luca de Meo wants the team to be competitive earlier than its previous 100-race target?\\xa0
\\n
\\nAnd have the latest departures had as big an impact on staff morale at Enstone as claimed?\\xa0
\\n
\\nThe cover story of this month\\u2019s GP Racing focuses on Charles Leclerc\\u2019s next moves. While it\\u2019s unlikely he would move to either Red Bull or Mercedes in the short term, it\\u2019s clear the relationship with Ferrari is strained.\\xa0
\\n
\\nThe Scuderia and its loyal tifosi like to draw parallels between Leclerc and Gilles Villeneuve. Both brave, both occasionally prone to messy mistakes while pushing too hard \\u2013 and might Leclerc, like Villeneuve, be contemplating a future elsewhere?\\xa0
\\n
\\nThis month\\u2019s GP Racing also celebrates Williams hitting its 800th grand prix with a package including an exclusive interview with team principal James Vowles. The former Mercedes engineer and chief strategist opens up about his fight to get into Formula 1 in the first place, early learnings at a struggling BAR-Honda, his role in changing the face of race strategy, and why the Williams team\\u2019s new owners aren\\u2019t looking to cash out any time soon.\\xa0