Flavio Briatore’s appointment as Alpine advisor surprised the entire paddock. He had been away from the F1 teams for years and returns to try to redirect a project that is in its worst momentsThe Italian is aware of this and has revealed that they are going to make quite a few sacrifices next year.
The French team is one of the few teams that They have not yet confirmed their line-up for 2025. This year, they decided not to renew Esteban Ocon and bet on Pierre Gasly as the first driver, and although they went for Carlos Sainz in the market, they couldn’t sign him and now The most realistic option seems to be Jack Doohan’sa very talented young man, but who may be guilty of a lack of experience.
However, Flavio is not worried about the driver they are going to sign. “The driver does not make the difference now, he will make the difference in 2026, 2027 and 2028, those should be the years,” Briatore said, confirming that The French have their eyes set on the change in regulations and do not expect to climb many positions during this year and next, because his car is too far from the top 4.
The pilot doesn’t make a difference now
Flavio Briatore, Alpine advisor
Those, In 2026 they hope to have a good machine and the advisor explained that “if you have a good car, you need a good driver”so 2025 could be a transition year and in 2026 they could reformulate their lineup with a higher quality signing. “If the car is not performing, we have to make sure we put the energy into the technical side.” and make sure that the Alpine car looks better and improves for next season,” he added, showing the reality they are in.
In what year will they return to the podium?
His return to the Grand Circus brought many negative opinions, because it was involved in some controversies years ago, but he is looking forward to this project. “It’s a new challenge, a new motivation. I’m very happy to be back and now we have a new team manager. Basically, it’s Luca and I, with Oliver as team manager, and we’re working like that,” he admitted.
At the moment he has said that they will focus on “have a solid team, whether from a commercial, technical or management point of view” and in 2026 things will start to change. “In 2026, I think we will see the new Alpine. Give me two years, in that time, we will see the podium. In 2027, we will have podiums,” he concluded, making it clear that they have high expectations for the change in regulations, where they will probably take the Mercedes engine, which will be one of the best.
