Nielsen to return to Alpine as managing director

Steve Nielsen is to return to the Renault-owned Alpine team as managing director.

The 60-year-old Briton is one of the most experienced and respected sporting managers in Formula 1.

Nielsen spent a decade at the team as sporting director through its various guises of Benetton, Renault and Lotus, and won two world title doubles with Fernando Alonso.

He has also been sporting director at the Caterham, Toro Rosso and Williams teams, as well as for governing body the FIA and for commercial rights holders F1.

A statement from Alpine said Nielsen would "oversee the day-to-day running of the team at Enstone, starting from 1 September ahead of the Italian Grand Prix in Monza".

Alpine has been through a series of management changes in recent years as it struggles to return to competitiveness.

Its latest team principal Oliver Oakes left the team after the Miami Grand Prix in May citing personal reasons.

Nielsen is an appointment of Flavio Briatore, who was made executive adviser by Renault last summer with a remit to turn them around.