The 74-year-old businessman Flavio Briatore was brought back to the Alpine team in 2024. The Italian has previously played a key role at Renault and the former Benetton team. He hopes to replicate past successes with his proven formula in the future. It is still unknown which driver will claim victory for the French team, but Briatore is determined to achieve a new title win.
In June, the flamboyant Flavio Briatore rejoined the Formula 1 team of Alpine. In the 90s, he had already achieved success with a young Michael Schumacher, a feat he would later repeat with a young Fernando Alonso. At the age of 74, he is still as competitive, although he will have to work hard to make Alpine a success. His comeback was accompanied by some controversy – after the 2008 ‘crashgate’ scandal, the Italian was once banned from the sport, but he has now been given a significant advisory role within the team.
Controversial Comeback
“This team, when we talk about Alpine, is the same team,” Briatore stated in an interview with Autosport.com. “It’s a Benetton team, a Renault team, an Alpine team. You can change the color of the shirts or the way you perform, but the team remains the same.” The Italian explained how he ended up back in Formula 1 after fifteen years out of the sport. “I was following the races. One day I called Luca de Meo (CEO of Renault). I said I was sorry to see the team in this state, because it was my team. I ultimately built this team up, built factories, and won titles.”
‘We started talking over the phone,’ he continued. ‘Then we met in Paris. I simply said to Luca, ‘Let me see if it’s possible.’ And we started talking, but there was one condition – I wanted to have full control.’ His wish was granted, although he is assisted by Oliver Oakes, who has been the team boss of Alpine since the summer of 2024. ‘I needed a team boss who was grounded,’ said Briatore. ‘Olly (Oakes) was simply the best option. He is young, ambitious, and knows the business. Moreover, he lives twenty minutes from the factory.’
Same Movie, New Actor
With Oliver Oakes at the base, Briatore continued to build on Alpine. ‘He was the foundation and then we built bit by bit. We hired more people and the team became more credible. We found new sponsors and started looking for drivers. Ultimately, I came back because I believe I have what it takes to change this team.’ From 2026, Alpine is no longer a factory team; the engine factory in Viry, France, becomes a hub for street car technology.
“In 2026, we will have the Mercedes engine,” Briatore explained. “In the meantime, we will need to find more people who fit into this team. It’s the same as with Benetton; people said it was a joke because we made T-shirts. But when we started winning races, everyone started showing interest. It was no different with Renault.” Briatore’s plans have not become any less ambitious. “If everyone works together, I think it’s possible to win races in 2026 and compete for the championship in 2027,” he proposed.
Next Big Star for the Team
Who the next big star will be for the team is still unknown. Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan are both starting the season opener in Melbourne next week, but there are several reserve drivers in the Alpine ranks ready to step into Formula 1. From Paul Aron and Ryo Hirakawa to Williams alumnus Franco Colapinto. “I do what’s best for the team,” Briatore explained. “If you have two drivers, the choice is between two drivers. If you have five, then the choice is between five. In the end, I still see the same qualities in this team. We did it with Benetton and we did it with Renault. It was the same movie, we just changed the actor. With Benetton, it was Schumacher and with Renault, it was Alonso. Now, we still don’t know who the actor will be.”
