Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor to Alpine F1, has a clear vision for the team’s future. He’s determined to replicate the success he had with Benetton and Renault, where he worked with legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso. As he puts it, “It’s the Boss” – a phrase that defines his role in the team, and one that’s been echoed by Luca de Meo, the CEO of Renault.
Briatore has built a technical structure that he believes will take the team to the top. With Oliver Okes as team leader and David Sánchez in the technical department, he’s confident that they have the right people in place. He notes that Okes is “young, ambitious, and knows the racing business because he was a pilot” – a karting world champion, no less. This, Briatore believes, is the kind of spirit that Alpine needs to succeed.
When Briatore first arrived at the team’s factory in Enstone, he was struck by the lack of passion. “It was a group of people producing a car,” he says. “And they didn’t care if it was fast or slow. It was a job.” But things have changed since then. Now, he sees a team that’s driven, a team that’s passionate about winning. He recalls being at the factory until 11:30 at night, surrounded by 80 or 90 people who were all working towards the same goal. “It has been a racing team again,” he says with a smile.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Briatore is cautiously optimistic. He believes that the team has the potential to climb the grid and maybe even challenge Aston Martin for the title of “best of the rest.” But he’s also looking further ahead, to 2026 and beyond, when he hopes to be competing for the championship. “Why are we not going to be able to win races in 2026?” he asks. “The car will be new to everyone. I want to win again, for that I have returned to F1.”
One of the key questions surrounding Alpine is the situation with their drivers. Briatore has been clear that he wants the best pilots possible, and he’s not afraid to make tough decisions to get them. When asked about Franco Colapinto, the young driver who impressed last season, Briatore says that he’s “not a killer” – but he’s also not afraid to bring in new talent if it means improving the team.
As for Jack Doohan, the Australian driver who’s been given a chance to prove himself, Briatore is non-committal. “No, no, it will be more than five races,” he jokes, when asked if Doohan’s fate is limited to just a few outings. But then he turns serious, saying that Gasly did a “super job” last year and that he’s looking forward to seeing how Doohan performs. “I’m not a killer, I just want to have the best possible pilots,” he insists.
Another area where Briatore is making his mark is in attracting capital to the team. Alpine F1 will have a slew of new sponsors in 2025, and Briatore is clear that this is a key part of their strategy. “If we remove the stickers, we remove the money,” he says with a shrug. It’s a pragmatic approach, and one that reflects the harsh realities of modern Formula 1.
Overall, Briatore is a man on a mission. He’s determined to take Alpine F1 to the top, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get there. With his years of experience and his passion for the sport, he’s definitely a man to watch in the coming season.
Colapinto and the future
Briatore’s comments on Colapinto have been closely watched, given the young driver’s impressive performance last season. While Briatore has been careful not to commit to anything, it’s clear that he’s a fan of the Argentine driver. “I try to ensure that the team has the best pilots possible,” he says. “If it’s Colapinto, Jack, Paul… I don’t care.” It’s a statement that’s likely to fuel speculation about Colapinto’s future, but for now, at least, it seems that Briatore is keeping his options open.
‘Too many sponsors’
The final area where Briatore is making his mark is in the team’s sponsorship deals. Alpine F1 will have a plethora of new sponsors in 2025, and Briatore is clear that this is a key part of their strategy. It’s a approach that’s likely to raise some eyebrows, given the team’s previous focus on minimal sponsorship and a sleek, carbon-fiber body. But Briatore is pragmatic, saying that “if we remove the stickers, we remove the money.” It’s a harsh reality, but one that reflects the challenges of competing in modern Formula 1.