Formula 1
Flavio Briatore reveals one condition for Alpine return
The Italian was keen to outline his needs for his Alpine return.
Alex Harrington
Edited: Mar 6, 2025, 3:32 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor, Alpine F1
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Flavio Briatore has revealed the one condition he set before confirming his return to the Alpine F1 team after 15 years out of the sport.
Briatore may be one of the more polarising figures in Formula 1, but his knowledge, experience, and success in the sport cannot be argued against. The 74-year-old, once banned for his involvement in the 2008 'Crashgate' scandal, has returned to the paddock with a singular mission in mind: to revive the Enstone outfit after a number of disappointing seasons and management reshuffles.
He previously helped turn the team into a championship-winning outfit when it was under the Benetton and Renault branding, and with the same playbook, he's looking to do the same now. The team saw an uptick in performance towards the end of the 2024 season, finishing sixth in the Constructors' Standings. But this was a far cry from the seven-title legacy they saw under Briatore's leadership.
Now back with the French team, the Italian businessman is once again looking for control.
In a discussion with Motorsport.com, he outlined how this rekindled relationship came about and the condition he set for his return.
“This team, talking about Alpine, it’s the same team. It's a Benetton team, a Renault team, an Alpine. You change the [colour of the] shirts, you change a little bit of the performance, but it is the same team.
“After 15 years out of Formula 1, I followed some races watching on TV. So, one day I called Luca. I told him I felt so sorry to see the team in this condition, because it was my team. I created this team. I built in the factory and there were world championships won in this building.
“I wanted to do something. And we started talking on the phone. One day we met in Paris, I was busy with my restaurant business - I had 1,200 employees and then 600, because I sold 50% of the business and I had a little more time."
Renault CEO Luca de Meo, however, had to relinquish control of the team to the advisor.
“I just told Luca, let me see if it's possible. If I still have the same book I had before, to put together this team. And we started talking but there was one condition, I wanted to be in charge completely.”
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor, Alpine F1
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
While Esteban Ocon has since moved to the Haas F1 team, he, alongside then-teammate Pierre Gasly, captured a double podium at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix, hinting at the potential within the squad. In the pouring rain, both drivers were able to leverage the conditions to their benefit, with the resulting points haul pushing them from the bottom of the standings to sixth.
Briatore was keen to ground the excitement, however. Talking with Sky Italia, he attributed the result to luck.
“Without taking anything away from an incredible Ocon in the wet and a Gasly who did his job well, today we were also lucky.
“I think we have a car that is better in the wet. Unfortunately, I don’t think the next three races will be wet. But today we saw with all these young drivers presented as a new phenomena how much experience still counts in Formula 1.”
Gasly now pairs with Jack Doohan for the 2025 season, and Alpine hopes for a more successful year.
Click here to read the full interview with Flavio Briatore.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 2025 will make or break Tsunoda's F1 career – Marko
Next article Former Mercedes boss: Hamilton’s 2021 F1 title was ‘stolen’ in Abu Dhabi
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Alex Harrington
Lando Norris casts doubt on Singapore GP sprint excitement: "I don't think it is"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Lando Norris casts doubt on Singapore GP sprint excitement: "I don't think it is"
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Nike could return to Formula 1 for first time since Michael Schumacher era
Report: Sergio Perez's management in Williams talks as Carlos Sainz's future remains unclear
Formula 1
Formula 1
Report: Sergio Perez's management in Williams talks as Carlos Sainz's future remains unclear
More from
Flavio Briatore
Flavio Briatore apologises to Lando Norris after Azerbaijan GP crash
Formula 1
Formula 1
Azerbaijan GP
Flavio Briatore apologises to Lando Norris after Azerbaijan GP crash
"Everyone was happy except him" – Franco Colapinto shares telling Flavio Briatore anecdote
Formula 1
Formula 1
"Everyone was happy except him" – Franco Colapinto shares telling Flavio Briatore anecdote
Flavio Briatore: Alpine helped Valtteri Bottas sign contract with Cadillac
Formula 1
Formula 1
Dutch GP
Flavio Briatore: Alpine helped Valtteri Bottas sign contract with Cadillac
More from
Alpine
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
WEC
WEC
Belgian firm to take over Renault/Alpine engine facility in Viry
'Lines were crossed' – Franco Colapinto speaks out after online abuse targeting Alpine F1 staff
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
'Lines were crossed' – Franco Colapinto speaks out after online abuse targeting Alpine F1 staff
Latest news
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Qualifying: Lewandowski dominates, taking pole for both races
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
Lamborghini World Finals | AM-LC Qualifying: Lewandowski dominates, taking pole for both races
Marc Marquez: “In the first half of 2026, all I wanted to do on Sundays was lie on the sofa”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
6 min
Marc Marquez: “In the first half of 2026, all I wanted to do on Sundays was lie on the sofa”
"Just undriveable" – Isack Hadjar looking for answers after "massive" struggles in Austin practice
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
53 min
"Just undriveable" – Isack Hadjar looking for answers after "massive" struggles in Austin practice
Maverick Vinales: “If I stay at home, I don’t get paid”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Australian GP
1 h
Maverick Vinales: “If I stay at home, I don’t get paid”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe