Johnny Herbert urges Alpine to maintain independence amid Mercedes links. Johnny Herbert warns Alpine against becoming a Mercedes satellite team after switching to Mercedes power units.

Herbert: “I hope Alpine does not become Mercedes’ Racing Bulls”

Former Formula 1 driver Johnny Herbert has expressed his hope that Alpine will maintain its independence, warning against the possibility of the French team becoming too closely aligned with Mercedes.

Concerns over ‘satellite teams’

Under the leadership of Flavio Briatore, Alpine has decided to move away from its in-house Renault power units produced at Viry-Châtillon, instead opting for the “shortcut” of becoming a Mercedes customer team. A strategy similar to the one that has helped McLaren win three of the last four Formula 1 championships.

The 2026 season has started on a relatively positive note for Alpine, which—thanks in part to strong performances from Pierre Gasly—has already scored 16 points, matching Red Bull at this early stage of the championship.

At the same time, the French outfit has attracted interest from potential new investors, especially after Otro Capital decided to sell its stake in the team, opening the door to possible ownership changes in the future.

Johnny Herbert, however, hopes this evolution does not lead Alpine to becoming a de facto Mercedes satellite team, similar to the relationship that already exists between Red Bull and Racing Bulls.

“There is a lot of talk about Mercedes and Alpine,” Herbert told Vision4Sport. “And I understand the advantages that can come from having a ‘satellite’ team, for example to help develop young drivers from academy programs. However, I hope Alpine does not become Mercedes’ Racing Bulls. Keeping teams separate is important.”

Johnny Herbert’s perspective highlights the central tension in modern Formula 1: the battle between financial pragmatism and sporting independence. While the points Pierre Gasly is scoring are a testament to the team’s current quality, the fear of becoming a “junior” partner is a valid concern for a team with Alpine’s heritage. In a 2026 season defined by high-stakes technical shifts, maintaining a unique identity might be just as difficult—and just as important—as finding those extra tenths on track.