Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has claimed the team will win races upon Formula 1’s rules reset in 2026 as it welcomes hires from several rival competitors.
The Enstone-based squad announced last month that Briatore, who was at the team’s helm between 2000 and 2009, has returned as an advisor to CEO Luca De Meo.
Briatore’s comeback comes amid Alpine sustaining a positive upturn in competitiveness as its consecutive points run extended to four races in Austria last weekend.
However, Alpine remains rooted to eighth in the Constructors’ Championship as it began the term with an overweight A524 car and a mass exodus behind the scenes.
But Briatore, who steered the team to titles under the Benetton and Renault guises, has set his sights on revised technical regulations in 2026 providing opportunities.
Despite the Renault-owned side underdelivering on expectations since reviving its full-time involvement back in 2016, Briatore has raised the bar with Alpine’s targets.
“In 2026 I will win races, the Alpine will be on the podium; then, how many we will be able to do, I don’t know,” Briatore told ‘La Politica nel pallone’ on Radio Rai.
“This year we have many handicaps, we are reshaping the whole team. I have had full powers from Luca de Meo.
“I am used to using them and I guarantee that in two seasons we will be talking about podiums”.
Alpine is rumoured to be considering shutting down its engine division and reverting to being a customer team, with reports slating Briatore eyes Ferrari or Mercedes.
The seasoned Italian is also touted to be behind Alpine’s attempts to entice outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to slot in alongside the renewed Pierre Gasly in 2025.
“There is a lot of interest, we’ll see in the next few days, although right now for Alpine the driver doesn’t make a difference, we have to get the car right first,” he added.
“Incredibly he [Sainz] is still free, we are all willing to have him in the team and we will do what we can.”
Briatore’s bold admission comes as Alpine has ushered through the door three recruits with experience at Ferrari and Red Bull to bolster its dwindling technical ranks.
Both Technical Director Matt Harman, who has now been confirmed to be switching to Williams, and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer departed earlier this season.
Michael Broadhurst has been brought back into the fold as Chief Aerodynamicist, having contributed to two Constructors’ Championships during his time at Red Bull.
Meanwhile, Vin Dhanani will also return to a familiar setting as Head of Vehicle Performance, with ex-Ferrari man Jacopo Fantoni appointed as Deputy Chief Engineer.
Fantoni worked at the Maranello-based squad in the design department alongside David Sanchez, who was heralded Alpine’s new Technical Director two months ago.
Sanchez, who endured a premature departure from McLaren, has slotted into the revised three-pronged technical structure Alpine implemented earlier this campaign.
Broadhurst will report to David Wheater, Dhanani to Ciaron Pilbeam and Fantoni to Joe Burnell, with Sanchez positioned above them as the outright department head.
The first win will be Singapore, of course?