The new team boss Frederic Vasseur triggered a recruitment offensive in 2017 that lasted until last year and is bearing its first fruits when Alfa wants to establish itself at the top of the midfield.
Alfa is currently in the process of “refining” its structure rather than adding significant headcount, but has changed its technical director twice since the beginning of the 2018 season.
Jörg Zander left the team after the first race last year and his successor Simone Resta has now left to return to Ferrari.
Jan Moncheaux, who was hired as Head of Aerodynamics last year, has taken on the role of Technical Director. While Vasseur believes the changes won’t interfere with the design team, he is keen to be more persistent.
“In the end it’s the same group,” he told Autosport. “We have meetings that we attend around the table, six or eight people.
“It’s not because you change a person [that problems emerge].
“The group is much more powerful than a single person. It is more important than anything to have stability in the group.
“That’s why I decided to promote Jan, it’s for stability.
“I am really convinced that the group is fine, we are improving and I want to keep the same pace.
“It is not [the intention] change all or the top management of the company every six to eight months. “
Vasseur believes the Sauber company behind Formula 1 entry shares the same DNA as its hugely successful junior single-seater.
Prior to his brief stint as head of Renault’s revitalized factory team and his appointment as chief and CEO of the Sauber F1 Team in 2017, Vasseur was best known for leading the ASM and ART Grand Prix teams that have worked with many leading F1 drivers had worked together.
Although the Sauber F1 team was renamed Alfa Romeo Racing for 2019 to strengthen its ties with the famous Italian company, it is still operated by the same independent Swiss company that first entered F1 in 1992.
Vasseur believes that the same team mentality exists within the Sauber group as with ART, which is still active in Formula 2 and Formula 3.
“It’s probably in ART’s DNA to capitalize on the group,” he said.
“I have a few mechanics who started with me in 1990.
“We had a good base of people on the team for 25 years.
“It’s important for a racing team. Maybe it’s part of Sauber’s DNA too.
“We’re not part of the Formula One circuit in Great Britain.
“They have the downside that it’s a lot harder to attract people. The upside is that they’re much more committed to the team.
“You don’t have that much sales.
“We have to push for it, because it is important for me to take in a group, I don’t want to have individuals.”
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