F1 team boss can ‘forget’ about planning for 2027 because his ‘days are numbered’

Follow us on Google Discover

Flavio Briatore is facing an exit from Alpine in 2027 as he has ‘no say’ over the potential sale of Otro Capital’s shares.

F1 has already seen a team boss switch in 2026, with Jonathan Wheatley leaving Audi for Aston Martin to take over from Adrian Newey.

Now, amidst the uncertainty surrounding Alpine’s future in the sport, Briatore could be the next to make a move, as he is looking increasingly likely to leave the Enstone outfit in 2027.

Who is going to win the Canadian Grand Prix?

Let us know why in the comments!

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Flavio Briatore likely to leave Alpine in 2027 – he has ‘no say’ over their potential sale

The team are in a rebuild phase in 2026 after shutting down their Renault factory and entering an engine deal with Mercedes. Briatore wants Alpine to qualify ‘P6 to P7’ every race, and they currently sit fifth in the standings.

Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are showing encouraging signs, but the future of the team is unclear. The possible outcomes are causing controversies in the paddock, but it is becoming more likely that Briatore will not be a part of it.

READ MORE: Who is Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore? Everything to know

Minority shareholders Otro Capital are looking to sell their 24% stake in the team, with Mercedes, Christian Horner and BYD all being interested.

According to a report from UOL, this is a sale that Briatore would have ‘no say’ over. The Italian is ‘unlikely to retain his position for next year’, regardless of who Alpine sell the shares to.

The Mercedes deal creates a potential conflict of interest, given their current agreement with Alpine. McLaren CEO Zak Brown sent an open letter to the FIA, criticising the deal over the threat of the Enstone outfit becoming Mercedes’ ‘B team’.

Mercedes reportedly want to buy a 24% stake in Alpine, but should this be allowed?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Horner could ‘veto’ Alpine’s driver line-up, should he reach an agreement with Renault over Otro’s shares. He wants control of an F1 team as he looks to find a way back onto the grid, and if it is with Alpine, close friend Briatore will not be by his side.

Journalist Julianne Cerasoli wrote in the UOL report: “Flavio Briatore can forget it. His days are numbered; he is likely to stay until the end of the year, but he is unlikely to be making these decisions, only dealing with the day-to-day running of the team.

“It is more a question of Renault’s top brass deciding whether or not they want to stay in Formula 1. I don’t know if you remember, but when Alonso was winning the championship, there was already talk that Renault didn’t believe in Formula 1 and wasn’t going to stay.”