FRENCH MINISTRY OF LABOR INAUGURATES THE MECHANICAL EXCELLENCE CONTEST AT THE ALPINE F1 TEAM FACTORY

The Alpine Mechanical Excellence Contest wasdesigned and developed in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Employment,and Economic Inclusion, and aims to promote the industry as one with promisingcareer paths that are open to all, and to promote workplace youthapprenticeships.

The Alpine Mechanical Excellence Contestofficially opens on 11 January 2022 via thewww.concours-excellence-mecanique-alpine.fr website.

The French Ministry of Labour, Employment, andEconomic Inclusion, represented by Patrick Toulmet, Interministerial Delegatefor the Development of Apprenticeship Policies in Local Government PriorityDistricts, visited the Alpine F1 Team factory in Viry-Châtillon, whereFormula 1 engines are developed. They were joined by Laurent Rossi, CEO ofAlpine, and Cyril Dumont, Director of Facilities and Operations.

In the lead up to the official launch of theAlpine Mechanical Excellence Constest, the Ministry was keen to meet with the soleFrance-based Formula 1 team and spoke with engine manufacturers and engineers tounderstand better the high level of expertise and precision required for bothprofessions.

During their conversation, several studentsfrom the FDME Learning and Training Centre in Évry were able to talk with the Ministryand the Formula 1 team. Alpine would like to show that the automotivesector is one with promising career paths, by promoting the value of workplacement and hands-on apprenticeships for young women and men.

Laurent Rossi, CEO Alpine: "Alpine hasbeen designing and developing high-performance engines in Viry-Châtillon formore than 40 years. While the brand strives to be at the forefront ofinnovation and technology, it also proudly supports the younger generations. Thisis the mindset that guided our decision to create the Alpine MechanicalExcellence Competition. Inclusion, transfer of skills and knowledge and equalopportunities are all values that we wish to impart upon young people in automotives.I am honoured to have welcomed the Ministry of Labour, Employment, and EconomicInlcusion, represented by Mr Patrick Toulmet, here to speak with our teams, to learnmore about what we do, and to inaugurate the very first edition of this contestthat is so close to our hearts."

AN INCLUSIVE COMPETITION

The competition, born of a coming together ofAlpine and the Ministry of Labour, has included many stakeholders throughoutits journey from the intial idea to its deployment: the Ministry of Labourthrough work with the Interministerial Delegation for the Development ofApprenticeship Policies in Local Government Priority Districts, the NationalAssociation for Automotive Training (ANFA), the Operator for Skills inMobility-specific Professions (OPCO Mobilités), the Chamber of Trade andCraftsmanship (CMA France), and Renault Group. Alpine would like for thecompetition to become a permanent fixture and to create new collaborationopportunities that will enhance the overall experience for the youngcandidates.

Equal opportunities is a fundamental featureof the Alpine Mechanical Excellence Competition. To ensure that all applicantsare given the same chance of success, neither their financial capacity, norwhere they live or learn should impede anyone from taking part in thecompetition. As such, any travel and accommodation costs incurred bycandidates, even during the program, will be covered by Alpine.

One of the people involved in the project isEsteban Ocon, who joined the Alpine F1 Team in 2020. His personalityand values made him a natural choice of ambassador for Alpine, while his background,experience and maturity all contributed to making him the ideal mentor for theAlpine Mechanical Excellence Competition.

The winning pair will be offered a three‑monthinternship at the Alpine F1 engine assembly shop in Viry-Châtillon, where theywill work on the Formula 1 engine for the 2022 season. The internship couldthen even lead to an apprenticeship contract for each of the two winners.

Main dates for the competition:

11 – 19 January: registration (unlimitednumber of places).

3 February, from 5 pm to 6 pm: theory-based generalknowledge test (72 pairs of shortlisted applicants).

25 February to 11 March: regional practicaltests (9 pairs selected, i.e., one per assessment centre).

1 – 2 April: final stage at the Alpine F1 Teamsite in Viry-Chatillon (1 winning pair).

Patrick Toulmet, Interministerial Delegate forthe Development of Apprenticeship Policies in Local Government PriorityDistricts: “We created this competition together with Alpine as a greatopportunity for apprentices or high school students in the mechanical sector todiscover the world of Formula 1 thanks to an internship with this prestigiousteam. Girls, boys, young people from priority districts, rural areas orstudents from overseas territories; everyone has their chance in thischallenge. It was important for us to remove all barriers that could prevent ayoung person from entering the excellence of the motorsport industry and livingtheir dream."

About Alpine

Founded in 1955 by Jean Rédélé, Alpine has carvedout a name for itself as a manufacturer of French sports cars. In 2018, Alpineunveiled the new A110, a sports car that showcased the brand's timelessprinciples of being compact, lightweight, agile, and a pleasure to drive. In2021, the Alpine Business Unit was created. It became the Renault Group brandfor innovative, genuine, exclusive sports cars, benefiting from the longstandingheritage and know-how of its historic Dieppe plant as well as the engineering expertiseof teams at Alpine Racing and Alpine Cars.

Press Contacts

Orianne TAMBURINI

Alpine Chief Press Officer

orianne.tamburini@alpinecars.com
+33 (0)6 26 63 28 14

Lucas VINOIS

Press Officer

lucas.vinois@fr.alpineracing.com

+33 (0)6 34 59 14 82