Flavio Briatore has now ‘encountered some resistance’ at Alpine after agreeing Mercedes engine deal

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Alpine made the anticipated but unprecedented decision on Tuesday to begin using Mercedes power units from the beginning of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

The 2026 F1 season is likely to see the pecking order in the paddock reset, with sweeping new regulations being introduced to the sport.

Alpine are one of the teams that will hope to benefit from the coming changes after a disappointing 2024 campaign.

Ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Alpine were sitting 9th in the Constructors’ Championship, with only the pointless Sauber team beneath them.

Pierre Gasly scored two points in the Sprint Race before he joined teammate Esteban Ocon on the podium after they expertly judged a treacherous Grand Prix.

The result catapulted the French manufacturer above Williams, RB and Haas and potentially earned Alpine nearly £30m in prize money if the standings remain as they are after the final three races of the campaign.

Despite this recent success, Alpine have decided that they can no longer continue with their current power units beyond the 2025 season.

From 2026, Alpine will utilise Mercedes power units and gearboxes for the first year of the new era of F1, sacrificing their factory team status in the process.

Why Mercedes power unit deal might have put pressure on Flavio Briatore at Alpine

Alpine have known since the start of the season that there are issues with their current engine, with the power unit underpowered compared to their rivals.

They also arrived at the season opener with an overweight car and were at the back of the grid having finished 4th in the team standings as recently as 2022.

It was a significant step backwards and to counteract the lack of progress the team had made in recent years, Renault CEO Luca de Meo brought in Briatore to oversee the team’s decision-making.

Alpine have cut 300 staff members in that time, while Oliver Oakes was brought in as team principal to replace Bruno Famin.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore

However, the decision to abandon Renault engines has not been popular, with some staff protesting the call at the Italian Grand Prix.

Journalist Frederic Ferret took to X to share how staff at Alpine’s Enstone factory may not have fallen in line with Briatore’s most recent call.

He said: “The important news is that Enstone, not Viry, is also abandoning its expertise in gearboxes.

“It seems that his majesty Briatore has already encountered some resistance internally, as some people in England are trying to remake one for 2027.”

Alpine facing late twist in 2025 driver market after Mercedes engine deal

The driver’s market has been frenetic all season and Alpine are one of several teams who will have a new pairing in 2025.

Gasly is being retained by the French team, but with Ocon moving to Haas, he’ll be joined by young Australian Jack Doohan.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

However, there is talk that Doohan’s contract may only run for the first five races of next season, leaving him in a position where he needs to perform immediately despite never having raced in F1 before.

Alpine have also shown an interest in Williams driver Franco Colapinto but whether they can beat Red Bull to his signing is another matter.

At a time when the team appear to be cutting costs, they may also not be willing to pay the Argentinian’s significant fee.