Flavio Briatore denies Valtteri Bottas talks with Alpine: “No contact for 2026”. Flavio Briatore denies Valtteri Bottas had any discussions with Alpine for a 2026 F1 return.

Flavio Briatore denies Valtteri Bottas talks with Alpine: “No contact for 2026”

Valtteri Bottas had previously suggested that he held discussions with Alpine regarding a possible return to Formula 1 in 2026, but Flavio Briatore has categorically denied that any talks took place. These rumors may have helped Bottas finalize his agreement with Cadillac for the upcoming season.

Bottas’ future secured with Cadillac

Flavio Briatore has denied Valtteri Bottas’ claims that Alpine had spoken to the Finnish driver about a potential full-time F1 seat in 2026. Valtteri Bottas has spent much of the 2025 season on the sidelines after losing his Sauber seat to Gabriel Bortoleto, but he was recently announced as a full-time driver for Cadillac in 2026.

With Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto struggling, rumors emerged that Alpine might consider signing Bottas for the remainder of the season. However, according to Flavio Briatore, the situation never materialized.

In a recent interview, Flavio Briatore stated that Alpine had never discussed a 2026 drive with Bottas. The Italian believes that the speculation about Valtteri Bottas joining Alpine may have helped him secure the Cadillac contract.

“I never spoke with Bottas about 2026. I think the rumors that he could drive for Alpine helped him sign a contract with Cadillac,” Briatore said.

This raises the question: was the speculation a strategic move by Bottas to secure a Cadillac seat, or is Flavio Briatore attempting to downplay what could be seen as a missed opportunity?