What Flavio Briatore Did to Alpine After His Return

Briatore’s return reignited debates about his past. In 2008, as Renault team principal, he orchestrated the “Crashgate” scandal, ordering Nelson Piquet Jr. to deliberately crash during the Singapore GP to benefit Fernando Alonso. While banned indefinitely by the FIA, Briatore overturned the penalty in French courts and re-entered F1 as Alpine’s advisor in 2024. His autocratic management—evident in rapid personnel changes and a focus on immediate results—mirrors his 1990s–2000s approach with Benetton and Renault. Critics argue this instability harms Alpine’s long-term prospects, but supporters credit his decisiveness in reviving a stagnant team.  

Management Overhaul: Ousting Bruno Famin and Oliver Oakes

Briatore’s influence began with a restructuring of Alpine’s leadership. Bruno Famin, who had replaced Otmar Szafnauer as team principal in 2023, was ousted in mid-2024. His successor, Oliver Oakes—a 37-year-old former HITECH GP leader—was appointed with hopes of stabilizing the team. Despite guiding Alpine to a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, Oakes’ authority was undermined by Briatore’s role as executive advisor. The power struggle culminated in Oakes’s abrupt resignation after the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, with Briatore assuming full control as the actual team principal. While both denied internal clashes, sources suggest disagreements were over driver strategy, specifically the demotion of Jack Doohan. 

Abandoning Renault’s Engine Program for Mercedes Power

One of Briatore’s most consequential decisions was terminating Alpine’s decades-long in-house engine project. Citing chronic underperformance, Renault’s power unit lagged rivals by 10% in 2024, and financial strain. Alpine announced a switch to Mercedes customer engines starting in 2026. This move, negotiated under Briatore’s guidance, aimed to bypass costly R&D and leverage Mercedes’ proven technology. However, it sparked backlash in France, where the Viry-Châtillon engine factory faced layoffs, and critics accused Alpine of sacrificing technical independence.  

Driver Market Shakeup: Ocon’s Exit and Doohan’s Short-Lived Opportunity

Briatore showed a radical driver lineup change. Esteban Ocon, a long-time Alpine driver, was released early after the Qatar Grand Prix after a bad 2024 season marked by collisions with teammate Pierre Gasly and inconsistent results. His replacement, Jack Doohan, son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, was promoted from Alpine’s academy after a one-race debut at Abu Dhabi in 2024. However, Doohan’s rookie 2025 campaign faltered: six races yielded zero points, multiple crashes, including a Lap 1 incident in Miami and Australia, and a qualifying gap of 0.314 seconds to Gasly. Briatore’s patience evaporated, and Doohan was demoted to reserve driver after just six rounds.  

Signing Franco Colapinto

To replace Doohan, Briatore secured Franco Colapinto, a rising Argentine star he brought in from Williams. Colapinto had impressed in 2024 as a mid-season substitute for Logan Sargeant, scoring five points in nine races despite limited preparation. His commercial appeal—backed by South American sponsors—and aggressive driving style aligned with Briatore’s preference for marketable talent. However, the deal included a clause requiring Colapinto’s eventual return to Williams, raising questions about Alpine’s long-term planning. Briatore granted Colapinto five races to prove himself, with a second evaluation planned before Silverstone.  

Strategic Implications for 2026 and Beyond

Briatore’s actions signal a pivot toward the 2026 regulatory reset. By securing Mercedes engines and testing young drivers like Colapinto, he aims to position Alpine as a contender when new technical rules take effect. However, risks abound: the revolving door of team principals, five since 2021, reliance on loaned drivers, and internal morale issues threaten cohesion. As Briatore consolidates power, Alpine’s future hinges on balancing short-term aggression with sustainable growth—a challenge the 75-year-old must navigate amid lingering skepticism about his legacy.