Flavio Briatore has shared that Alpine F1 Team is not for sale despite rumours. He also reasoned that he has no plans to cut jobs at its UK base.
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This year, Alpine hired Flavio Briatore as their executive advisor. The former Renault Team Principal is to reverse Alpine’s declining fortune.
After rumours have spread online about the team’s future, he stated: “Something is very clear. Nothing is for sale.
“[Renault chief executive officer] Luca de Meo doesn’t want to sell the team. Question finito [finished].”
In his first media briefing since joining Alpine in June, he said his “realistic” ambition was for the team to “score some podiums in 2027”.
He believes that the team’s UK base in Enstone “didn’t need so many people”. However, he was quick to reassure that he will not cut jobs.
Speaking to the media, Briatore shared: “I don’t want to cut jobs. We need efficiency. We need people very experienced. I don’t want to fire anybody.”
Renault
Briatore was popular in the paddock. He also confirmed that it was not his decision to close the Renault Formula 1 engine factory in Viry-Chatillon near Paris. This is a decision that is being considered by the Renault board. It will be decided next month.
“I’m not the bad guy all the time. Everything else you can blame on me, but not this.”
Renault, who are Alpine’s parent company, is deciding whether to abandon its F1 engine programme, which started in 1977.
It is believed that the aim is to turn the team into a customer outfit. There is discussion that they will buy Mercedes engines from 2026.
Explaining why the option was being considered, Briatore stated: “The problem is the evidence. But whatever our chairman decides is fine with me.”
Renault has been behind its power-unit manufacturer rivals since hybrid engines were introduced to F1 in 2014. The team have taken inspiration from McLaren this season, where they have the fastest car on the grid at specific tracks. They have also rivalled Red Bull and seemingly helped end their dominance.
Alpine understands that a team can be competitive without being affiliated with a works engine program from a car manufacturer.
With so many changes, 2027 seems like an ideal target for the French team.
Image Credit: Alpine
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