There’s a fresh buzz around the Alpine Formula 1 team. Reports from French and Italian media are hinting that the former Renault team boss, Flavio Briatore, might be making a comeback as a special advisor for Alpine.
According to these reports, Renault CEO Luca De Meo is keen on bringing Briatore on board to help turn around the team’s current struggles. The role would focus on aiding the team’s recruitment efforts at its Enstone headquarters and the engine plant at Viry-Chatillon, rather than a hands-on management position.
Alpine has neither confirmed nor denied Briatore’s potential return. They stated, “As a team, we are in frequent contact with a number of industry experts in pursuit of improving overall performance. We consider all relevant inputs and, when appropriate, seek advice from people with experience and previous success. We cannot comment on any individual matters.”
Briatore’s potential return is stirring the pot due to his controversial history. He was instrumental in the double championship wins with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso but also had a lifetime paddock ban (later overturned) for his role in the 2008 Singapore ‘Crashgate’ scandal. Still, he’s been a regular presence in the F1 paddock since 2010, even attending the recent Monaco Grand Prix where he was seen with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
The past 10 months have been turbulent for Alpine, marked by significant personnel changes. Laurent Rossi, the brand’s CEO, was removed by De Meo, quickly followed by the exits of team principal Otmar Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane before the 2023 Belgian Grand Prix. The team’s 2024 car development went awry, starting the season poorly after finishing sixth the previous year. Technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer also left in March.
Alpine’s interim team boss Bruno Famin adopted a McLaren-like three-pronged technical structure, bringing in David Sanchez from McLaren as the overarching tech chief. Recent performances show some progress, moving from the back of the grid to mid-field contention, competing with Haas and Williams. Pierre Gasly’s point in Monaco, despite a clash with teammate Esteban Ocon, is a positive sign.
There’s also chatter that Renault Group CEO De Meo is increasingly frustrated with the lack of results and eager to shake things up. This has led to rumors about potential buyers like Chinese manufacturer Geely, though Alpine insists the team is not for sale. They recently reiterated, “The rumours and stories about the team being for sale are false. The team is categorically not for sale.”
Bringing in Flavio Briatore, a figure with a contentious past yet undeniable success, could be a significant shake-up for Alpine. While the team remains tight-lipped, it’s clear that changes are afoot as they strive to climb back up the Formula 1 standings.
Source: Motorsport
