Briatore: de Meo’s exit means ‘absolutely nothing’ for Alpine

In a characteristically blunt assessment, Flavio Briatore, the de facto leader of the Alpine Formula 1 team, has waved off concerns about the impact of Luca de Meo’s impending departure as Renault’s CEO.

De Meo, the architect of Renault’s recent strategic shifts, announced last week his decision to step down to pursue ventures outside the automotive industry.

The Italian executive’s exit, set for mid-July 2025, has inevitably sparked speculation about potential ripple effects on Alpine, a key asset within the Renault Group.

But Briatore – Alpine’s executive advisor and a polarizing figure from his days leading Benetton and Renault’s championship-winning teams – insists the shake-up at the top of the French automotive giant will have zero impact on Alpine’s Formula 1 operations.

A Non-Issue for Alpine

When Reuters pressed Briatore on whether de Meo’s exit would disrupt the team, his response was unequivocal.

“Nothing, absolutely nothing. Nothing has changed for me. Neither for me nor for the team. And congratulations to Luca on his new position,” Briatore declared.

The remark suggests not only confidence in Alpine’s stability but also a pointed jab at the hype surrounding de Meo’s next chapter. For Briatore, the CEO’s departure is a distraction, irrelevant to the team’s day-to-day operations or long-term ambitions.

While de Meo’s tenure saw Alpine’s rebranding and renewed F1 commitment, Briatore’s dismissal of his influence underscores the Italian’s belief that the team’s fate lies in its own hands.

Critics, however, may question whether this bravado masks deeper uncertainties, given Alpine’s inconsistent performance and ongoing driver dilemmas.

Briatore Shoots Down Colapinto Speculation

Briatore also took aim at rumours swirling around the future of young driver Franco Colapinto, who was drafted in mid-season as a replacement for the underwhelming Jack Doohan.

Colapinto was reportedly on a five-race trial to prove his worth, but inconsistent early performances had led to questions about his job security.

When asked about the Argentine driver’s status, Briatore dismissed the chatter outright.

“What rumours? I don’t believe there are any rumours. The team is happy with Franco, period. He’s part of the team, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stated, shutting down the line of questioning.

He didn’t stop there. Briatore then turned his frustration on the media – particularly Argentine outlets –for fuelling unnecessary drama.

“The problem is that the press publishes a lot of nonsense. It’s your fault, not ours. All these stories come from Argentina. Don’t ask me – you keep saying ‘Franco this, Franco that.’”

Colapinto’s 13th-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, while not point-scoring, was seen as a step forward – especially after a shaky start to his Alpine stint.

Whether it’s enough to secure his future remains to be seen, but if Briatore’s tone is any indication, the 22-year-old retains his boss’ backing for now.

Read also: Gasly urges unity as Alpine grapples with de Meo’s departure

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