Alpine are specializing in restructuring their workforce, somewhat than who will drive their automobile subsequent yr, Flavio Briatore claims.
The F1 veteran has returned to the game in an government advisor function at Alpine.
Esteban Ocon’s time on the workforce will finish this yr, and he’ll be a part of Haas in 2025, which means Pierre Gasly wants a brand new teammate.
Reserve driver Jack Doohan is reportedly near being promoted to a full-time race seat by Alpine to switch Ocon.
However Briatore informed the Components For Success podcast about their line-up: “I don’t know but. On this second, the motive force will not be…
“On this second you must put the workforce collectively from a business facet, technical facet, administration facet.
“The motive force makes no distinction now.
“The distinction was made in 2006, 2007, 2008. On this second I consider just one driver was obtainable, Carlos Sainz.”
Outgoing Ferrari driver Sainz has opted to signal for Williams in 2025, ignoring curiosity from Alpine and Sauber.
Alpine’s vacant seat is one among simply 4 remaining within the 2025 F1 driver line-up.
Briatore continued: “For me, it’s simply the efficiency of the automobile. It’s restructuring the workforce fully.
“If in case you have automobile, you want driver. If the automobile will not be performing…
“We’re placing all of the vitality into the technical facet to ensure the automobile of Alpine seems to be higher, and higher, and higher.
“In 2026 I consider we are going to see the brand new Alpine.”
Briatore, now 74, was beforehand the Benetton workforce boss throughout Michael Schumacher’s title-winning days.
He then oversaw Fernando Alonso’s championships with Renault.
His newest problem is to show across the Alpine F1 workforce, who’ve endured a fraught 2024.
Amongst their points was Ocon, who clattered into teammate Gasly in Monaco, drawing the ire of his employers.
Alpine later confirmed that Ocon would exit the workforce on the finish of this yr, and he has since signed for Haas.
