The appointment of Carmen Jorda as head of the Alpine Academy comes at the heart of a programme that stands as one of the major strategic pillars of Alpine F1 Team.
By giving Carmen Jorda the responsibility of leading its driver development structure, the Enstone team strengthens a programme built on more than twenty years of experience in supporting and training promising young talent.
Identity of the programme: a structure with a rich history
Before becoming known as the Alpine Academy, the programme passed through several identities, each reflecting the evolution of its parent team — from Renault to Lotus and finally to today’s Alpine structure.
Carmen Jorda now steps into this legacy as she takes charge of the Academy.
| Current name | Alpine Academy |
| Previous names | Renault Driver Development (2002–2009) LRGP Academy (2011) Lotus F1 Team iRace Professional Programme (2012) Lotus F1 Junior Team (2013–2015) Renault Sport Academy (2016–2020) |
| Location | Enstone |
A programme designed to guide talent to Formula One
The mission of the Alpine Academy is to identify, develop and support the most promising young drivers with the aim of helping them reach Formula One. This progression system — demanding, structured and based on performance — is now supervised by Carmen Jorda in her role as Director of the Alpine F1 Academy.
A heritage built since 2002
Founded in 2002 under the name Renault Driver Development, the programme proved its effectiveness before being paused in 2010 for financial reasons. It returned in 2011 as the LRGP Academy, accompanying the transformation of Renault F1 Team into Lotus-Renault GP.
In 2012, the programme entered a new phase as the Lotus F1 Team iRace Professional Programme, then became the Lotus F1 Junior Team between 2013 and 2015. When Renault repurchased the team in 2016, the structure was renamed Renault Sport Academy.
Between 2012 and 2020, only one driver from the Academy reached Formula One: Esteban Ocon. Although he was part of the Lotus F1 Junior Team between 2013 and 2014, his arrival in F1 is mainly attributed to the Mercedes junior programme he joined in 2014.
Key moments in the Academy’s history
The Academy’s story is marked by strong achievements but also by tragedy. The most significant moment remains the loss of Anthoine Hubert in 2019 during a Formula 2 race at Spa-Francorchamps. A member of the Renault programme since 2018 and one of its brightest prospects, Hubert was a GP3 champion and a two-time F2 winner in his rookie season. Since 2019, the message “Racing for Anthoine” has accompanied all Academy members.
In 2020, the Renault Sport Academy supported six drivers across different categories. The results varied widely: success for Oscar Piastri in Formula 3, difficulties for Max Fewtrell, and mixed performances for the two drivers competing in Formula Renault Eurocup.
In 2021, with Renault’s transition into Alpine on the Formula One stage, the Academy was reorganised. Cyril Abiteboul left his position, Davide Brivio took over the programme, and the structure officially took on the name Alpine Academy.
The role of Carmen Jorda in Enstone’s new dynamic
The appointment of Carmen Jorda comes at a decisive phase for Alpine. The Academy now relies on stronger technical coordination, personalised driver monitoring and deeper collaboration with team partners, including Qatar Airways through its involvement in the F1 Academy.
As Director of the Alpine F1 Academy, Carmen Jorda is responsible for developing the female talents within the programme. Thanks to her complete career background — from karting to Formula One development roles, through GP3, Indy Lights, and years within the Lotus and Renault systems — Carmen Jorda brings a concrete understanding of the challenges faced by young drivers in terms of performance, progression and pressure management.
Carmen Jorda’s appointment represents a turning point: for the first time, Alpine entrusts the leadership of its female development pathway to a driver who has competed internationally and has already been part of the Enstone organisation.
It is a way for the team to combine experience, visibility and a strong social commitment, while strengthening the long-term structure of the Alpine Academy.
Source : Alpine Academy
