Flavio Briatore admits he saw ‘no point’ in signing one driver for Alpine’s 2025 line-up

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Alpine have been swallowed up in Formula 1’s midfield for a few seasons now, and have failed to reach the high expectations that they set for themselves in years gone by.

Multiple management reshuffles haven’t helped them get any closer to their goals, but now the hope is that the team can reach a level of stability under new team principal Oliver Oakes.

They even brought Flavio Briatore back as an Executive Advisor to the team – a man that knows how to turn Enstone into a winning force.

His fabled championship winning seasons of 2005 and 2006 are enshrined as a part of Formula 1 history – the first team to beat Ferrari this side of the millennium, feel about a millennium away from winning again, and that’s why he’s back in the frame.

Flavio Briatore saw ‘no point’ in signing Carlos Sainz

The 2025 Formula 1 silly season has been one of the most open and crazy things in recent memory – Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari, rumours of Max Verstappen to Mercedes and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Alpine were one of few teams tasked with signing two drivers for next season, with both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly out of contract at the end of the year.

Gasly was retained, while Ocon signed a deal with Haas, leaving the team with one seat to allocate, which they handed to Australian rookie Jack Doohan.

READ MORE: Carlos Sainz shares how Ferrari negotiations were going before Lewis Hamilton bombshell

An academy graduate of the team, Doohan beat out many current drivers to the role, and will now receive an opportunity to showcase his talents at the pinnacle of motorsport.

“Our problem is the car, not the drivers,” Briatore told Auto Motor und Sport when challenged about the possibility of signing outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz.

“There’s no point investing in a driver like Sainz if he can’t make the difference. The competition is too strong today. We’re missing so much. You can’t change that overnight.”

Will Alpine’s showing of faith in their youth pay off?

Carlos Sainz drove for the team back in 2018 when it was badged as Renault, before being replaced by Daniel Ricciardo.

He ended up signing a deal with Williams to race alongside Alex Albon at the resurgent British outfit, which likely won’t have been at the top of his list.

READ MORE: Pierre Gasly explains how 2025 Alpine driver Jack Doohan helped him score points at the Dutch Grand Prix

His Ferrari performances over the past few seasons indicate that he can be a top tier driver on his day, and would’ve been a marquee signing for even Alpine.

But the team opted to show faith in their youth, promoting Doohan, who has worked hard with the team this season in the simulator to help improve the car.

If he can be as quick as he proved in his Formula 2 running, then he could spearhead the French team’s line-up for many years to come.