Flavio Briatore is back in the thick of Formula 1 – and he's not managing Alpine for the French outfit to make up the numbers.
The controversial Italian, who was appointed as Alpines’ executive advisor almost a year ago, is now the outfit’s de factor team boss, and has laid down a bold blueprint for the French outfit’s future.
After a dismal start to 2025, with Alpine achieving just two top-ten finishes achieved in eight race, Briatore insists there are “no excuses” for the Enstone squad not to fight at the front when F1’s sweeping new regulations land in 2026.
And by 2027? He wants nothing less than Alpine to contend for the world title.
Briatore, never one for understatement, spoke plainly about what he expects from the team moving forward — and the clock has officially started ticking.
“In 2026, we can win races, I guarantee it, and in 2027, we want to be title contenders,” he told French daily Le Monde.
“In 2026, there will be no excuses: we must be competitive. We owe it to Renault [parent company], to Alpine… we’re in this sport to win, and with the new regulations coming in 2026, the teams that interpret them best will have the edge.”
That message comes amid a turbulent campaign year-to-date at Alpine.
With just seven points on the board, a mid-season driver change swapping Jack Doohan for Franco Colapinto, and the departure of team principal Oliver Oakes, the French squad is deep in a rebuilding phase.
But Briatore is betting big on one key change – ditching the team’s in-house Renault power and moving to Mercedes engines for 2026.
“The easiest way to win is to sign Max Verstappen, but we can’t. So we have to work with what we’ve got,” he admitted.
“Choosing to switch to Mercedes power was a very difficult decision, but in this sport, to win, you need to have the same tools as the others. For a million reasons rooted in the past, we were at a disadvantage in that area.”
Though his title remains “executive advisor,” make no mistake — Briatore is now firmly at the helm. With Oakes gone, the 75-year-old is taking on more responsibility than ever at the Enstone base he twice led to glory, with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
“Oli was handling all operational matters, but he’s no longer with us. I’m now 100% committed and surrounded by a very strong team across all departments — technical, commercial, and management,” he explained.
“It’s more work, sure, but that’s not a problem. I’ve got plenty of time. As for the team principal licence, it’s a detail — I could get it tomorrow if I wanted.”
Flavio Briatore with Groupe Renault Chief Executive Officer, Luca de Meo.
Briatore also dismissed speculation of friction behind the scenes.
“Everyone thought there was a rift between Oli and me. But when I have an issue with someone, everyone knows — I speak up and act immediately. If I say there’s no problem, it’s because there isn’t one.”
Briatore’s return last year inevitably has raised eyebrows, given his central role in the infamous 2009 Singapore Grand Prix 'Crashgate' scandal – a controversy that earned him a lifetime ban from F1, later overturned in French courts. But his pedigree in the sport is undeniable.
Now, Alpine is his project, and with sweeping changes coming in 2026, Briatore is betting on experience, bold decisions, and sheer will to haul the team back to the sharp end of the grid.
For Alpine, the message is clear: starting in 2026, the time for excuses is over.
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