There has been a heavy atmosphere surrounding the Alpine team in the Formula 1 paddock for some time. After ten races, the team remains stuck at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, overwhelmed by a technical and managerial crisis that is all the more surprising given the signs of recovery shown at the end of last season. In this context, the words of Flavio Briatore, who has reappeared in an ambiguous role as “super consultant,” come across more as an act of self-absolution than a clear-eyed analysis of the situation.
“Nothing, absolutely nothing,” Flavio Briatore told Reuters when asked about the departure of Renault CEO Luca de Meo, which occurred right after the Canadian Grand Prix. “Nothing has changed for me or for the team.”
A statement that stands out for its superficiality, especially at a time when Alpine’s managerial instability is plain for all to see. Luca De Meo was not just any executive: he was the political and industrial face of the entire Alpine project, and his departure adds to a long series of upheavals within the team.
To make matters worse, there’s been a revolving door of drivers: Jack Doohan was dropped after just six races and replaced by Franco Colapinto, who has yet to score a single point. This carousel reflects a lack of vision and continuity—two crucial elements, as seen also in Ferrari’s case, for any attempt at technical and sporting reconstruction.
Rosberg: “It damages the brand”
The most pointed critique comes from someone who knows F1 well: Nico Rosberg. The 2016 World Champion, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, expressed serious concerns not just about Alpine’s on-track performance but also about the reputational damage affecting Alpine—and indirectly Renault:
“When we were running at the back with Mercedes, there were people who wanted to pull the plug every weekend, because spending millions to have your brand seen at the rear of the grid is counterproductive. It’s negative marketing.”
Nico Rosberg then drew a direct comparison with Ferrari, noting that instability held back Maranello for years: “Mercedes kept the same key leaders for 15 years, Ferrari changes all the time. Stability is essential.”
A broader crisis
Behind Alpine’s crisis lies an industrial landscape that isn’t helping. Challenges in the automotive sector, the forced shift toward electric vehicles, Chinese competition, and Tesla’s rise are eroding market share and budgets. And as Rosberg pointed out, “when budgets get tight, the first thing to get cut is marketing—and the F1 team is marketing.”
Against this backdrop, Flavio Briatore’s ostentatious optimism is surprising. Perhaps self-criticism would be more appropriate than minimizing everything in the name of apparent normality. Because the only truly certain thing about Alpine today is the chaos.
What is needed is a strategy, strong leadership, and a long-term project—not evasive statements. And certainly not the illusion that a big name alone can solve structural problems.
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