Ralf Schumacher calls for Briatore’s exit from F1 leadership role

Ralf Schumacher has fired a shot across the bow of Alpine’s leadership, suggesting that Flavio Briatore’s old-school style no longer fits in today’s Formula 1 world.

The 75-year-old Italian, brought back last year as an executive advisor by former Renault boss Luca de Meo – on the advice of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone – has been acting as the de facto team principal since Oliver Oakes’ surprise exit in May.

But Schumacher believes that the sport’s modern era demands technically savvy leaders to steer teams through its high-stakes, tech-driven landscape.

“I think the time for figures like Flavio is over,” the six-time Grand Prix winner told Bild. “You need technically skilled people at the top, someone like Horner. Flavio could then help as an organiser and networker, as a face to the outside world.”

Briatore’s return sparked controversy given his central role in the 2008 “crashgate” scandal, which originally saw him banned from F1 for life.

His responsibilities at Alpine is set to shrink again when new hire Steve Nielsen takes over in September, but Schumacher still questions whether he should be running the show at all.

Backing a New Breed of Leaders

The German’s vision aligns with a growing trend in F1 – the rise of technically minded bosses. Indeed, with the likes of Andrea Stella at McLaren, Laurent Mekies at Red Bull or James Vowles at Williams, most teams have entrusted their management to genuine engineers.

Schumacher was particularly admirative of Vowles’ transformative work at the Grove-based squad, which currently sits fifth in the constructors’ championship – its best season in a decade.

“He’s the right man,” Schumacher said. “Williams has very entrenched structures that are very difficult to break down. He’s already partially succeeded.

“The team is well positioned and has good drivers. They’re no longer developing the current car; they’re fully focused on 2026. It will be very exciting to see how they manage that.”

Read also:

• Gasly: Nielsen’s focus on 2026 - won’t transform Alpine this season

With Alpine under pressure to climb back into the fight and Williams charting a fresh course, Schumacher’s remarks underline a wider shift in the paddock.

Technical nous, not just political savvy, is increasingly seen as the ticket to sustained success. And in the former F1 driver’s eyes, the Briatore era belongs firmly in the rear-view mirror.

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