Flavio Briatore Unveils Ambitious Plan for Alpine’s F1 Domination
Renowned figure Flavio Briatore, synonymous with both triumph and controversy in the world of Formula 1, has set forth a bold roadmap for the French team Alpine. Despite a lackluster start to the 2025 season with just seven points under their belt, the 75-year-old visionary is confident that sweeping changes in 2026 will propel Alpine to new heights.
In a candid interview with Le Monde, Briatore declared, “In 2026, we can win races, I guarantee it, and in 2027, we want to be title contenders.” He emphasized, “There will be no excuses: we must be competitive. We owe it to Renault, to Alpine… we’re in this sport to win.”
The team has experienced internal upheaval recently, with Briatore taking on a more prominent role following Oliver Oakes’ resignation as team principal. Despite retaining the title of “executive advisor,” Briatore is now the driving force steering Alpine’s trajectory.
A pivotal aspect of Alpine’s strategy revolves around their upcoming transition to Mercedes power units, following Renault’s exit from F1 in 2025. Briatore, though acknowledging the challenge of this decision, believes it is imperative for success. He stated, “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.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, marked by major changes in chassis, aerodynamics, and engine regulations, Briatore sees a prime opportunity for Alpine to reset and elevate their performance. Despite acknowledging the competitive advantage of having a driver like Max Verstappen, Briatore quipped, “The easiest way to win is to sign Max Verstappen, but we can’t. So we have to work with what we’ve got.”
The appointment of Franco Colapinto to the race team in lieu of Jack Doohan signifies a broader reorganization geared towards realizing Alpine’s long-term vision of success.
Addressing past controversies, particularly the infamous “Crashgate” scandal that led to his initial ban from F1, Briatore asserts that he is fully committed and supported by a robust team across all facets of the operation. Dismissing concerns about his lack of an official team principal license, Briatore affirmed, “As for the team principal license, it’s a detail — I could get it tomorrow if I wanted.”
With leadership clarified and a strategic course charted, Alpine is poised for a significant leap forward. While the realization of Briatore’s promise of race victories in 2026 and championship contention in 2027 remains to be seen, the team’s ambition and drive are unmistakable.
In summary, Flavio Briatore’s vision for Alpine’s future in F1 is one of unwavering determination and calculated ambition, setting the stage for a thrilling chapter in the team’s history.
