Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore says the French outfit is not putting much emphasis on its driver line-up for 2025, insisting its priorities reside with strengthening the team’s foundation.
Briatore, who previously led the Benetton and Renault teams to multiple championships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, returned to F1 – and to his former Enstone-based outfit – earlier this summer after a 14-year hiatus.
The flamboyant Italian’s management services were called upon by Renault Group chief executive Luca de Meo in a bid to put the beleaguered squad back on its rails after many months of disruption, changes and especially under-performance.
Speaking to his former F1 colleague Eddie Jordan on the Formula for Success podcast, Briatore admitted to being facing a huge challenge but one that he is delighted to undertake.
“It’s a new challenge, it’s a new motivation – I’m very happy to come back,” commented the 74-year-old.
“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 revealed that he is on a two-year mission to turn around Alpine’s fortunes.
“Alpine – I promise you - give me two years. In two years’ time we see the podium,” he added. “In 2027, we have a podium”.
On the driver front, while Esteban Ocon will move to Haas for 2025, Pierre Gasly saw his contract with Alpine extended last June on a multi-year basis.
Asked by Jordan about the team’s second seat, which many believe will be assigned to Alpine junior Jack Doohan, Briatore played down the importance of the team’s pairing for next season.
“At the moment you need to put the team together, from the commercial side, the technical side, the management side,” he said.
“The driver makes no difference now. The difference will be in 2026, 2027, 2028. This should be the difference for the driver.”
Briatore made clear that restructuring Alpine’s operations and building performance are his primary objectives.
“If you have a good car, you need a good driver,” he said. “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.”
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