CARMEN JORDA Returns to Alpine as F1 Academy Head Despite Controversial Past

November 27, 2025

• CARMEN JORDA is back at Alpine after nearly a decade, this time as head of F1 Academy mentorship – a role that puts her controversial past front and center. Her 2015-16 development driver stint ended in simulator drama and public disputes about her pace versus male teammates, making this comeback appointment raise eyebrows about Alpine’s commitment to substance over optics.
• The irony is thick here: JORDA previously argued women should stick to Formula E because F1 cars are “too physical,” yet now she’s tasked with developing the next generation of female F1 prospects. Meanwhile, other teams are backing proven winners like JAMIE CHADWICK at Williams and ALICE POWELL’s championship-winning mentorship of ABBI PULLING – setting a much higher bar for what female leadership in this space actually looks like.
• Alpine’s choice feels particularly puzzling when you consider JORDA’s junior career peaked at 13th place in GP3 with zero points across three seasons. Compare that to the track records of women actually succeeding in F1 Academy development roles, and you have to wonder if Alpine is serious about building champions or just checking diversity boxes with Qatar Airways partnership dollars.

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