Ex-Suzuki MotoGP boss Brivio joins Alpine F1 team as racing director

Davide Brivio has joined the newly rebranded Alpine Formula 1 team following his departure as team boss of the Suzuki MotoGP squad.

Suzuki recently announced that Brivio was leaving after helping lead the team to its first MotoGP world titles since 2000, with the Italian steering the Japanese manufacturer to seal the teams’ championship, while Joan Mir won the riders’ crown. 

His departure from Suzuki paved the way for a widely-expected move to the Alpine F1 team as part of the team's management restructure. The switch was confirmed on Sunday by the French manufacturer, with Brivio appointed racing director, where he will report directly to new Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi. 

"Alpine F1 Team is delighted to confirm Davide Brivio will strengthen its team ahead of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship season," a team statement read. 

"His specific role and responsibilities will be announced in the coming weeks. He will report to the Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi.

"Davide joins Alpine F1 Team with a wealth of experience and success following more than 20 years in the MotoGP World Championship, most recently sealing the World Championship crown for rider Joan Mir, and the Teams’ Championship title for his former team.

"We look forward to welcoming Davide as we start the next stage of our Formula 1 journey."

Marcin Budkowski, who was recently named executive director in place of the outgoing Jerome Stoll, is poised to take over from Cyril Abiteboul as F1 team principal for the upcoming 2021 season, with the Frenchman leaving Groupe Renault altogether. 

Renault CEO Luca de Meo was a key figure in instigating Brivio’s shock switch from MotoGP to F1, having previously worked together at Yamaha when Brivio was team manager from 2002 until 2010.

It is the latest high-profile signing for the rebranded Alpine team which is looking to continue Renault’s upward trajectory into the upcoming 2021 F1 season, having finished fifth in last year's constructors' championship. 

Alpine will welcome two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso back to the team for a third stint at the Enstone outfit. 

The Spaniard is returning to the team with which he won both his world championship titles in 2005 and 2006 to complete Alpine’s driver line-up alongside Esteban Ocon, following Daniel Ricciardo’s move to McLaren.