Damon Hill, the former Formula 1 World Champion, stirred the pot with his bold prediction that Flavio Briatore would be the last figure left standing at Alpine after a whirlwind of changes hit the Enstone-based team.
In a surprising turn of events, Flavio Briatore has made a comeback to the team principal role at Alpine, a position he last held 17 years ago. This change was triggered by Jack Doohan’s demotion in favor of Franco Colapinto, just a day after the unexpected departure of Oliver Oakes. Briatore’s return reignites memories of his contentious history, particularly the infamous Crashgate scandal, which left a permanent mark on the sport. Despite once being banned for life, a decision later overturned, Briatore now finds himself steering the Alpine ship once more, much to the astonishment of many, including Damon Hill.
Damon Hill’s reaction to these changes was one of disbelief. He took to social media to express his surprise, initially thinking the news was a joke. Upon confirmation, he wryly predicted that Briatore would outlast all current personnel at Alpine, hinting at the chaotic revolving door of leadership at the team.
The leadership at Alpine has indeed been unstable since their rebranding from Renault. The team has seen numerous changes at the top, with figures like Fred Vasseur, Cyril Abiteboul, and Otmar Szafnauer each taking turns at the helm before eventually moving on. Most recently, Bruno Famin’s tenure was short-lived, as his authority was overshadowed by Briatore’s return, leading to his exit and the brief appointment of Oliver Oakes.
Oakes’ resignation was initially linked to the strategic decision to replace Doohan with Colapinto, but it soon became evident that personal reasons were at play. It emerged that his brother, William Oakes, had been arrested on charges of transferring criminal property, a revelation that shed light on the timing of his departure. Briatore, addressing the rumors, clarified via social media that Oakes’ resignation was not the result of any internal conflict, emphasizing their strong professional relationship and shared long-term goals for the team.
On the performance front, Alpine has been experiencing a downturn, sliding from fourth place in 2022 to ninth in the current season, accumulating a mere seven points so far. Despite these setbacks, Briatore has expressed his commitment to not only improving the team’s standing this season but also preparing for a stronger showing in 2026. His renewed involvement with Alpine is seen as a critical move in stabilizing the team’s operations and setting a clear direction for the future.
Franco Colapinto, the latest addition, has a limited window of opportunity to prove his potential. Given only five races to make an impression, all eyes will be on his performance, with the hope that he can bring some much-needed success to a team in flux.
As the dust settles from this week’s dramatic changes at Alpine, the focus shifts to Briatore’s leadership and how he will navigate this turbulent period. With the team’s performance on a downward trajectory, the stakes are high for a turnaround, and all involved are keenly aware of the challenges ahead. Whether Damon Hill’s prediction of Briatore being the ‘last man standing’ will come true remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the coming months will be crucial for Alpine’s future in Formula 1.
