Briatore: 2025 Alpine goal is top six in races and 2027 F1 world title

Part of that destruction is the demise of the great Renault engine supply from Viry-Châtillon; from 2026, Alpine will be powered by Mercedes. The reason for that: Alpine wants to win again, according to Briatore.

This was said amid speculation that the Italian F1 veteran was brought in to dismantle and sell the operation after De Meo (like Sergio Marchionne did at Ferrari a decade ago) led the French team, rebranded from Renault to Alpine, down a rabbit hole.

But Briatore insists the objectives are to turn the French team into race winners and title contenders by 2027. And the Alpine F1 team is not for sale, says he.

Speaking to select media, including GRANDPRis247, Briatore laid out his ambitions: “Next year, the goal for Alpine will be to be consistently in the top six, with the possibility of a podium finish every now and then.

"To achieve this, we will need to improve the car's performance. Aerodynamically, we have more room for development than Ferrari and McLaren, which makes this a realistic target. Looking ahead to 2026, the intention is to aim to be on the podium in at least half of the races. At that stage, winning one or two races will be a natural consequence.”

"The strategy to win the title is based on the idea of achieving success with a budget 30-40% lower than our main rivals, a philosophy based on the one adopted at the time of Benetton when the team worked with half the resources of the competition.

"Knowing this team in-depth, I decided to return. I would not have made this decision with any other team," declared Briatore, clearly intent on using the Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso title-winning template he oversaw in his heyday.

Notably, since Briatore and his entourage, including new team principal Oli Oakes, have taken over the team, there has been an upturn in fortunes. Prior to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Alpine lay ninth in the 2024 F1 Constructors standings.

In Brazil, a double podium for Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, coupled with strong finishing form by the latter, meant Alpine finished P6 in the final standings.

For 2025, the final year of Renault-powered F1 cars, rookie Jack Doohan is promoted to be Gasly's teammate. But with Flav at the helm, calling the shots, be prepped for interesting times. Ask Ocon.