Flavio Briatore’s Bold Move: The Mercedes Engine Deal That Reshapes Alpine’s Future in Formula 1!
Flavio Briatore is making headlines once again in the high-octane world of Formula 1. The flamboyant Italian, known for his dazzling past with Renault, has set a monumental condition for his return to the sport with Alpine in 2024: a robust commitment to Mercedes-Benz power units! That’s right, Briatore’s ultimatum was crystal clear—without the might of Mercedes under the hood, he was not stepping back into the paddock.
Briatore’s illustrious history with Renault is legendary. He catapulted Michael Schumacher to two World Championships in the mid-90s while helming Benetton and later led Fernando Alonso to consecutive titles in 2005 and 2006 when the team transitioned to a Renault works squad. However, the dark cloud of the Crashgate scandal in 2008 temporarily overshadowed his career, resulting in a ban that was eventually overturned by a European Court. Despite the turbulent waters, Briatore made a triumphant return to the Enstone-based team as Executive Advisor in 2024, marking a new chapter in his career.
The recent resignation of Alpine’s Team Principal Oliver Oakes opened the floodgates for Briatore, expanding his role to that of the de facto Principal. But the real game-changer? Alpine’s strategic pivot to Mercedes power units, which Briatore described as a non-negotiable condition during discussions with then Renault CEO Luca de Meo. “The moment when Luca de Meo was talking about joining the team, there was only one condition for me to join the team, which was to have a Mercedes-Benz engine,” Briatore disclosed in a candid interview. “There was no plan B; it was only one plan. I wanted a Mercedes-Benz engine completely.”
The implications of this decision are monumental. Briatore recognizes that in the cutthroat world of F1, aligning with the best is crucial for success. “We started working together, and it was promising. The collaboration with Mercedes is super, super strong. This is what we’re looking for,” he emphasized.
Alpine has long struggled to make its mark, consistently languishing in the midfield due to a power unit that has failed to compete with the likes of Honda and Ferrari. In stark contrast, Mercedes has dominated the turbo-hybrid era, securing a staggering ten Constructors’ titles since 2014. Briatore’s move signals a desperate yet strategic attempt to shake off the shackles of mediocrity.
“I used to ask at every race how much our deficit was,” Briatore lamented. “This race? Four tenths. This race? 3.5 tenths. Last year, we had 14 cars in a three-tenths deficit. But now, when I arrive at the race, I will not ask anymore how many tenths we have in disadvantage.” His relief is palpable, as he adds, “Nobody is talking about engine anymore. Nobody is talking about gearbox anymore. At least we have two issues we don’t need to care about.”
With this bold new direction, Alpine is poised not just to compete but to challenge the very hierarchy of Formula 1. The alliance with Mercedes could very well be the catalyst for a resurgence that fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating. Buckle up, because the Flavio Briatore and Alpine saga is just getting started, and it promises to be anything but ordinary!
