Ted Kravitz thinks Flavio Briatore’s influence has ruled out Alpine move for ‘brilliant’ driver

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Flavio Briatore has always been a huge personality in the Formula 1 paddock and his influence at Alpine has taken no time to rise to the surface.

Alpine are having a very difficult campaign and have only scored nine points after 13 race weekends.

Esteban Ocon has a strong chance of adding to his tally at the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday after qualifying in the top ten and teammate Pierre Gasly isn’t far behind.

However, there are key issues that need to be resolved at Alpine and Flavio Briatore has wasted no time in trying to resolve them.

It emerged over the race weekend at Spa that Alpine would be moving team principal Bruno Famin to another part of the business.

Famin’s potential successor is Hitech boss Oliver Oakes who has his eye on an F2 driver for Ocon’s vacant seat in 2025.

Briatore is also exploring Alpine using Mercedes engines instead of their own Renault power units.

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

It would see a works team become a customer outfit which is an unusual route for a team to take but potentially a necessary one.

Ted Kravitz was speaking about another key issue Alpine need to resolve sooner rather than later on Ted’s Notebook.

Gasly is confirmed for next season but he currently doesn’t have a teammate lined up for 2025.

Kravitz now believes that Briatore’s influence in the team has made a move for Carlos Sainz much more unlikely.

This may be the reason why Sainz has now reportedly agreed a one-year deal with Williams heading into next season.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz’s life outside F1 from full name, girlfriend and height

Ted Kravitz thinks Flavio Briatore has made Alpine move difficult for Carlos Sainz

Talking about Sainz’s future after qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, Kravitz said: “Sainz back to Williams question mark? So, the trail seems to have gone slightly cold on whether Sainz can replace Sergio Perez or Lewis Hamilton at Red Bull and Mercedes respectively.

“With that in mind, it looks like he’s going to have to go back to supporting the midfield, bringing his brilliance Carlos Sainz to help a midfield team.

“Whether it’s not Alpine because Flavio’s influence at Alpine seems to have been working against Carlos Sainz’s chances for whatever reason.

“It looks like he might have to rekindle the old Williams link-up.

“They have been seen the Sainz camp having various meetings and dinners with James Vowles and various people from Williams.”

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

Who could join Pierre Gasly at Alpine in 2025?

With Carlos Sainz set to be off the market for Alpine, the team still need to hire another driver alongside a new team principal.

As explained above, if Oakes becomes the team’s new boss then Paul Aron is the F2 driver he’d like to promote alongside him.

Jack Doohan is still an option for Alpine as he continues to undertake simulator and reserve driver duties.

He’s taken part in two FP1 sessions this season although both have been heavily impacted by poor weather.

Mick Schumacher is making his case to drive for Alpine next season as well, racing for the French’s team WEC outfit this year.

The former Haas driver is still an outside shout for the position but anything can happen in the F1 driver market.