Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore is keeping the door open for Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard is set to switch from Ferrari to Williams in 2025, and the Italian businessman understands why Sainz would prefer not to choose Alpine’s current vehicle. However, Sainz is more than welcome to join the French racing team in 2026.
Carlos Sainz will have to make way for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari at the end of the season. The Spaniard’s current team announced this news early in the season, leading to a lot of speculation about the Madrid-born driver’s future. The driver eventually decided to sign with Williams, bypassing Alpine among others.
“Zero disappointment. Carlos was an opportunity, but it was too early,” says Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore. The Italian businessman also fully understands that Sainz chooses a more competitive team. “Before we talk about drivers, we need to talk about a competitive car first.” Williams is currently one place higher than Alpine in the constructors’ standings.
“If the car doesn’t perform, it doesn’t matter which driver you put behind the wheel,” Briatore continues. The Italian uses Red Bull as an example. “A year ago, Max Verstappen won every race and now that other cars are competitive, another young driver wins a race.”
Room for Sainz
Alpine would therefore prefer to focus on the further development of the car first, but does not rule out pursuing Sainz in the future. “We are very happy with Gasly. And we have a young driver (in Jack Doohan). But if Carlos wants to join in 2026, we’re there.”
Whether Williams will let the Spaniard go in two years, however, remains to be seen. Team boss James Vowles said in the Beyond the Grid podcast that he hopes Sainz will challenge Alexander Albon as a teammate. “What you’ll see is an Alex who keeps moving forward,” says Vowles. “Because if you have a teammate who says, ‘Oh, you’ve found half a tenth there, I’ll do the same,’ then you’re pushed in a way you didn’t get before.”
