Toto Wolff: “Ecclestone, Horner, and Briatore at Alpine? It would be exciting, the whole mafia together”. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reacts to rumors of Bernie Ecclestone, Christian Horner, and Flavio Briatore joining Alpine.

Toto Wolff on Ecclestone, Horner, and Briatore joining Alpine: “Exciting times for F1”

The future of Alpine

With Luca De Meo’s departure, the future of Renault’s Formula 1 project, rebranded as Alpine since 2021, had been called into question. However, the new CEO Francois Provost confirmed that the pinnacle of motorsport remains a central focus for the French brand. Currently, 24% of the team is owned by Otro Capital, a U.S.-based investment firm. Recently, Alpine has been linked with Christian Horner – a close friend of Flavio Briatore – as well as Bernie Ecclestone.

Toto Wolff’s comment

On Friday of the Dutch Grand Prix, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was asked about the idea of the Briatore-Horner-Ecclestone trio at Alpine, and he didn’t hold back: “It would be an exciting story, which could generate a lot of buzz around Formula 1. I think we need it; F1 has always been about the best races with fantastic drivers and strong personalities.”

Toto Wolff continued with a playful remark: “Thinking back to the era of owners and team principals like Frank Williams, Ron Dennis, Flavio Briatore, and Luca di Montezemolo, perhaps we should focus on that aspect. If there were such an exciting project with these three figures coming together – the whole mafia united – it would make excellent content.”

Flavio Briatore remains non-committal

Of course, the rumor reached Flavio Briatore himself, who remained rather vague: “At the moment I’m not considering anything. Christian Horner is no longer in Formula 1; I hope he returns soon, but for now he is not part of Alpine’s plans.”