Flavio Briatore's Controversial Comeback: Could He Save Alpine F1's Tumbling Fortunes
Rumors are swirling once again in the Formula 1 paddock, and this time they carry the unmistakable scent of a high-stakes comeback. Former Renault Team Principal Flavio Briatore has been linked with a sensational return to the Enstone-based Alpine team, as reports in both French and Italian media have recently unveiled.
Briatore’s storied, albeit controversial, history with Enstone includes guiding legendary drivers like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to back-to-back Drivers’ titles. His tenure, however, came crashing down with the notorious 'crashgate' scandal during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Instructing Nelson Piquet Jr to deliberately crash and aid Alonso's victory led to Briatore being handed a lifetime racing ban, overturned in 2013. And now, Italian media outlet Corriere della Serra and French newspaper L’Equipe claim Renault CEO Luca de Meo has reached out to the 74-year-old regarding an advisory role.
An Unexpected Reunion
According to these reports, Briatore would be stepping into a role that involves helping his former team with critical recruitment strategies. Alpine has been desperately trying to resurrect a form befitting of a works Formula 1 team. Over the past 18 months, the team has experienced a troubling slide in performance, resulting in significant leadership changes. Laurent Rossi, former Alpine CEO, Otmar Szafnauer, the ex-Team Principal, and long-serving Sporting Director Alan Permane have all been ousted.
Bruno Famin is now at the helm as Team Principal for the 2024 season. However, Alpine’s season has been nothing short of a disaster, courtesy of a failed concept change that saw the team stumble right out of the gate. This prompted further dismissals, notably Technical Director Matt Harman and Head of Aerodynamics Dirk de Beer. In a move akin to McLaren, Alpine has since adopted a three-pronged technical structure and has brought in David Sanchez to spearhead the technical team’s advancements.
Rebuilding the Ship Mid-Voyage
Alpine's fortunes have seen a gradual uptick in recent weeks. Esteban Ocon managed to secure a point in Miami, and Pierre Gasly followed suit with a points finish in Monaco. Despite these incremental gains, the prospect of Briatore’s return has sparked significant controversy given his contentious history.
In response to media speculation, the team released a somewhat cryptic statement. “As a team, we are in frequent contact with a number of industry experts in pursuit of improving overall performance,” it read. “We consider all relevant inputs and, when appropriate, seek advice from people with experience and previous success. We cannot comment on any individual matters.”
Another Cog in the Tumultuous Machine
This statement did little to quell the rising buzz. If de Meo indeed moves to bring Briatore back into the fold, it may be seen as yet another hasty decision in his tumultuous tenure managing the Alpine outfit. The former Renault boss' undeniable desire to reclaim a Team Principal role only adds to the already volatile mix.
The upheaval isn’t limited to leadership and advisory roles. According to further reports by seasoned F1 journalist Joe Saward, Renault is also considering shutting down its power unit operations at Viry-Chatillon. This revelation points towards the possibility of Alpine seeking an outside engine supplier by 2026 and, perhaps even more stunningly, the entire team could be up for sale.
On the Market?
With de Meo making such drastic changes, speculation is rife about Alpine's future. Interested parties such as Andretti and Chinese auto giant Geely have expressed potential interest in stepping into the world of Formula 1. The unfolding drama at Alpine could culminate in a sale, a move that would pivot the team’s already complicated narrative into uncharted territory.
No matter how you slice it, Flavio Briatore’s rumored return is a particularly bold stroke in the continuously shifting chessboard that is Alpine’s F1 strategy. Whether his presence will serve as the missing spark to reignite Alpine’s former glory or simply add more fuel to an already blazing fire remains to be seen.