When Alpine first announced the appointment of Flavio Briatore, there was plenty of scepticism. Whilst the public reception to Briatore’s return is largely unchanged, the 74-year-old is already pushing for aggressive manoeuvres at Enstone. One of them is the recruitment of Mattia Binotto, who is firmly on the Alpine radar once again.
After a difficult start to 2024, it was deemed that Alpine required a change in direction and vision. Briatore was brought in by Renault CEO Luca de Meo to lead this evolution and rectify the team’s downward trend.
Perhaps most significantly, it has emerged that Alpine could relinquish their manufacturer status. The team is seriously exploring options elsewhere to become a customer team in 2026.
With the Renault engine proving more of a liability than an asset, Alpine are open to a different approach.
Whilst this is a controversial idea deemed by many as counter-productive, the prospect of Ferrari or Mercedes powering the French squad’s F1 cars is having an impact in the market. Both drivers and engineers are intrigued by the new path that Alpine could pursue.
Negotiations with Mattia Binotto restart
Alpine have tried to recruit Binotto in the past. Their efforts were unsuccessful, for many of the reasons that have made Enstone an unattractive destination in recent seasons.
At this stage last year, the former Ferrari man is unlikely to have been excited by the prospect of resurrecting the Renault engine. Alpine’s wavering commitment to their own power unit is evidence enough of their engine department’s reputation.
However, Briatore now oversees a team in negotiations with Ferrari and Mercedes. Both these manufacturers could be willing to power Alpine at the right price and the right conditions.
The potential for a change in engines is understood to be an important development for Mattia Binotto. Taking a similar view to Carlos Sainz, he sees Alpine as a far more exciting prospect if they elect to use different power units in 2026.
Therefore, the former Ferrari man is again firmly under consideration at Enstone. Unlike twelve months ago, movements are happening behind the scenes that could help to persuade the 54-year-old.
Potentially working with a top engine, either Ferrari or Mercedes, is undoubtedly a motivating factor. McLaren are proving that even customer teams can fight at the front, and Alpine could benefit from someone with Binotto’s experience.
In a comparable fashion to Andy Cowell’s appointment at Aston Martin, Briatore is evaluating the role Binotto could fulfil at Alpine.
Binotto’s role would have an emphasis on overseeing the team’s progression from a more macro perspective.
As proven throughout his early days at Ferrari, Binotto can make a positive contribution to engine development.
After years of disappointment and frustration, Flavio Briatore is being entrusted with making the necessary changes – however bold – to rectify the situation at Enstone.
