Steve Nielsen Ends Alpine’s 100‑Race Plan and Launches a Realistic Rebuild
Alpine enters 2026 with a radically different philosophy under its new managing director, Steve Nielsen. After a challenging 2025 campaign, Nielsen has made it clear that the team must abandon the rigid « 100-race plan » that defined the previous era.
Originally introduced in 2021, the project promised a trajectory toward podiums and victories that never materialized. Instead, the team regressed, prompting what Nielsen describes as a necessary strategic reset.
Dismantling the Old Philosophy
Under Nielsen’s leadership, Alpine is replacing « bold timelines » with a « slow grinding process » aimed at rebuilding the team from the ground up. This pragmatism marks a departure from the artificial deadlines that previously created internal pressure without delivering on-track results.
The New Core Objectives:
- Restructuring internal departments to improve technical communication.
- Redefining performance expectations based on data rather than optimism.
- Eliminating artificial milestones to focus on incremental gains.
A Team in Full Reconstruction
The shift comes at a critical juncture as Alpine prepares for the 2026 regulatory overhaul. Nielsen has already launched an extensive wind-tunnel program to ensure the 2026 chassis is built on a foundation of technical discipline and operational efficiency.
His approach prioritizes consistent points-scoring as the primary building block for long-term credibility, moving away from the « grand declarations » of the past.
Conclusion: No Illusions
The message from the new leadership is clear: the team’s future will be built on continuous, measurable progress. This marks the beginning of a new era for Alpine—one grounded in realism, accountability, and hard work.