Despite a double points finish between the races in Miami and Monaco, the tension within Alpine remains palpable.
Amidst the exodus of technicians and on-track scuffles between their drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, the French team concluded the first third of the 2024 Formula 1 championship just ahead of Stake with the meager haul of only two points, with the A524 showing many weaknesses compared to the competition, despite the weight loss allowing the two drivers to slightly climb the standings in the recent rounds.
In this context, Luca De Meo‘s move, president and CEO of the Renault group since 2020, to bring Flavio Briatore back to Formula 1 should be pointed out. The Itaalian manager would return to the series in the role of special consultant, after being banned in 2009 following the scandal that emerged after the well-known events of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
Despite being away from the scene for over fifteen years, it is undeniable that Flavio Briatore, who was present in the paddock during the last Monaco weekend, still holds great relevance in the Formula 1 world, having led two projects like Benetton and Renault to success and enabling drivers like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to become world champions.
One of the first moves Flavio Briatore would like to make, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, would be to bring in Adrian Newey, who officially left the Red Bull F1 team a few weeks ago, and around whom rumors continue to swirl regarding what will presumably be his next, and last, adventure in Formula 1.
“As a team, we are in frequent contact with various industry experts to improve overall performance,” commented an Alpine spokesperson, dodging the rumors. We consider all relevant inputs and, when appropriate, seek advice from people with experience and past successes. We cannot comment on individual matters.”
Scuderia Ferrari remains the most likely option for the English designer, although he has always stated his desire to take some time off away from the spotlight before making a decision about his future.
Source: f1ingenerale
