Flavio Briatore downplays Alpine decision to stop producing their own engines. Flavio Briatore reacts to Alpine decision to stop producing their own engines .

Alpine-Mercedes
One of Flavio Briatore’s first moves as executive advisor to Alpine president Luca de Meo was the difficult decision to shut down Alpine’s Formula 1 power unit department. The French team will instead use Mercedes engines and gearboxes starting in the 2026 season, aiming to eliminate the power unit deficit it has suffered from in recent years.

“The French want to win, and with our engine, we cannot do it. It’s that simple,” Flavio Briatore explained to German motorsport magazine *Auto, Motor und Sport*, adding: “If we want to win, we need to let go of areas where we’re not competitive and have one less problem to deal with in the future. Let’s focus on the car.” Flavio Briatore then posed a challenge: “McLaren became world champion with Mercedes engines, but how often have you read or heard that McLaren-Mercedes became world champion? Never. And Haas is Haas, not Haas-Ferrari.”

No sale on the horizon
When Flavio Briatore resumed his role at Alpine, many linked the decision to stop developing its own power unit to the potential sale of the team. The Italian manager once again denied this possibility: “I don’t understand where these speculations come from. Since I joined Renault, I’ve always been asked the same questions. Even when we won the 2005 and 2006 titles, people asked if Renault wanted to stay in F1. I believe in efficiency, and the team leadership appreciates that I manage their money carefully. Now I’m saving everywhere in all areas that don’t make the car faster. I don’t think about what I’ll do in 5 or 10 years—I decide what’s important right now.”