Alan Permane has stepped into the team principal role at Racing Bulls, marking a fresh chapter after his long stint at Alpine ended abruptly last year. Speaking ahead of the 2025 season opener, the veteran engineer admits the shift feels worlds apart from his previous life in the sport.
“It’s a complete turnaround,” Permane said. “At Alpine, I was deep in the engineering trenches, focused on car setup and race strategy. Now, I’m overseeing everything – from sponsor deals to team morale. It’s demanding, but I’m thriving on it.”
Permane’s move came after Alpine’s mid-2023 shake-up, where he departed alongside Otmar Szafnauer. He joined Racing Bulls as sporting director before quickly rising to lead the Faenza-based squad. With the 2025 grid featuring familiar faces like Yuki Tsunoda paired with newcomer Isack Hadjar, Permane is tasked with pushing the team up the midfield order.
He highlights the cultural differences: “Racing Bulls runs leaner, more agile. We’re not bogged down by the corporate layers I knew at Alpine. That lets us react faster to on-track challenges.”
Looking to the year ahead, Permane eyes consistency as key. “Our goal is scoring points regularly, building on last season’s progress. With the new power unit regs looming in 2026, we’re already planning ahead while keeping our drivers sharp.”
Despite the pressures, Permane remains grounded. “Formula 1 is relentless, but this role reminds me why I love it – the people, the competition, the chance to shape a team’s future.” As Racing Bulls gears up for Bahrain, Permane’s leadership could define their 2025 campaign.
