F1 Rumour: AlphaTauri To Bring On Former Haas Director After Shock Exit

It has been reported that former Haas technical director Simone Resta could be making a move to AlphaTauri after his exit from the American team.

Author:
Lydia Mee
Publish date:
Jan 22, 2024

Former Haas technical director Simone Resta may be gearing up for a return to the sport, potentially joining the AlphaTauri team for the 2024 season. This rumour follows his departure from Haas amidst rumours of disagreements with team owner Gene Haas.

Key Takeaways:

Resta's Departure from Haas: Simone Resta left Haas F1 after reported disagreements over the team's development direction and resource allocation, marking the end of his tenure that began in January 2021.
Challenges in Haas F1’s 2023 Season: Haas F1's difficult season saw them struggle with tyre wear issues and underperformance, culminating in a low constructors' standings position despite a major aerodynamic update.
What Lies Ahead for Resta and Haas: Resta is rumoured to be considering a move to AlphaTauri, according to Motorsport.com.

Simone Resta, an experienced and respected figure in Formula 1, recently parted ways with Haas F1, where he played a crucial role in the team's technical direction since early 2021. His departure came at the same time as the team also parted ways with its team principal, Guenther Steiner.

Following Resta's departure, Motorsport.com has reported that the Italian engineer could now be making a move to AlphaTauri under the new leadership of Laurent Mekies.

Haas F1's 2023 season was marked by challenges, notably their struggle with tyre wear issues and a lack of consistent performance. Despite introducing a significant aerodynamic package at the United States Grand Prix, the team failed to make a substantial improvement, ultimately finishing at the bottom of the constructors' standings.

Resta's approach during his time at Haas focused on leveraging early successes and advocating for quicker car updates. However, this strategy was reportedly at odds with Gene Haas' preference for a more significant update later in the season, influenced by Red Bull’s design philosophy. This strategic disagreement is considered a key factor in Resta's decision to resign.