Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore has claimed that the team’s 2025 Formula 1 driver choice will “make no difference” until it gives them a more competitive car.
The Anglo-French marque announced in June that Briatore was returning to the side, known as Alpine since 2021, in an advisor position to Renault CEO Luca de Meo.
Briatore was at the helm when the Enstone-based squad sustained success under the Benetton guise in the 1990s and again when it ran as Renault in the mid-2000s.
However, Briatore vacated his role in 2009 when he was handed a permanent ban over his involvement in the ‘Crashgate’ scandal, which was later overturned in court.
The eccentric Italian has become a prominent figure within the paddock again as de Meo has called on his experience to help revitalise the beleaguered Alpine squad.
“It’s a new challenge, it’s a new motivation – I’m very happy to come back,” Briatore said.
“Now you know we have a new team principal [Oliver Oakes]. Basically, it’s Luca and myself, and Oliver as the team principal. And we’re working like that.”
Briatore was believed to have instigated Alpine’s attempt to sign outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, but the Spaniard has since chosen to move to Williams in 2025.
With Sainz electing to head elsewhere, Alpine is set to promote reserve Jack Doohan, who has been conducting extensive testing, to the drive alongside Pierre Gasly.
But while Doohan represents a downgrade on Haas-bound Esteban Ocon, Briatore has contended that Alpine’s line-up is insignificant until other areas are addressed.
“At the moment you need to put the team together, from the commercial side, the technical side, the management side,” he explained.
“The driver makes no difference now. The difference will be in 2026, 2027, 2028. This should be the difference for the driver.”
Alpine has endured a tumultuous campaign with an uncompetitive A524 car as it languishes eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with 11 points from 14 rounds.
However, Briatore, who guided Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to titles, is certain Alpine will be much more competitive once the regulations reset in 2026.
“If you have a good car, you need a good driver,” he added. “If the car is not performing…
“Our point in this moment, make sure we put all the energy in the technical side and make sure the car of Alpine is looking better and better and improving for next year.
“In 2026, I believe, we see the new Alpine.”
Briatore is so optimistic about Alpine’s chances that he has guaranteed the team will be back on the podium rostrum on merit in the second term under the new rules.
“Alpine – I promise you – give me two years. In two years’ time we see the podium,” he concluded. “In 2027, we have a podium”.
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