Alpine engine director parts ways with the team

Alpine has confirmed Renault F1 engine technical director Remi Taffin has parted ways with the company.

Taffin began working with Renault in 1999 and worked as the engine engineer for drivers including Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.

In 2009 Taffin took control of the manufacturer’s F1 activities before overseeing the difficult transition into the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, at which point he became director of operations.

Appointed engine technical director in 2016, Taffin oversaw Renault’s return to F1 as a constructor.

The steady progress, which included three podiums last year, culminated in a race win for Esteban Ocon last time out in Hungary.

With Red Bull, prior to its split with the French manufacturer, Renault had secured four championship doubles as an engine supplier as well as numerous wins at the start of the turbo-hybrid era.

A spokesperson for Alpine has confirmed Taffin departed the team at the beginning of July by ‘mutual agreement’.

It is understood Renault will not look for a direct replacement for its long-serving employee with Taffin’s duties to be shared among existing staff members.