Two F1 chiefs ‘QUIT’ as team part-owned by Hollywood duo suffer nightmare start to the season at Bahrain Grand Prix

TWO chiefs at Alpine have quit as the team suffered a horror start to the new F1 season.

Both technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer have resigned.

AFP

Technical director Matt Harman has quit Alpine as the team made a horror start to the F1 season[/caption]

This year’s first race took place in Bahrain today as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to victory.

He lapped both Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly.

The French duo finished 17th and 18th in the Bahrain GP.

It is understood Harman and De Beer resigned prior to the opening race weekend of the season due to the “uncompetitive” testing of the car.

It remains unclear when they will leave as they work out their notice periods.

They are the latest chiefs to leave after principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane quit halfway through last year’s Belgian GP.

Experienced engineer Pat Fry left for rivals Williams and CEO Laurent Rossi also departed last season.

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Alpine are part-owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

They joined with Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners to take a 24 per cent share of the team that used to be known as Renault.

Their latest business move after buying football club Wrexham supposedly cost them £170million.

NFL star Travis Kelce, boyfriend of pop sensation Taylor Swift, also owns a small portion of Alpine.

Alpine have declined to comment on Harman and De Beer’s resignations.