Alpine requires a "bandit" like Flavio Briatore to steer Renault's factory Formula 1 team back on course, as stated by former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.
The return of 74-year-old Briatore to the Enstone-based team and the F1 arena has sparked controversy, given his key involvement in the 'crashgate' scandal that initially led to a lifetime ban.
"I spoke to (Renault CEO) Luca de Meo on the phone for a long time," Ecclestone, now retired from official F1 duties, told Blick newspaper.
"He was desperate," said the 93-year-old. "Then the word Briatore came up."
"We quickly agreed that in such a confusing situation only a doer - a bandit among angels - could help," Ecclestone, a close friend and long-term business associate of Briatore, added. "There are enough saints in there already."
"Flavio's great strength has always been 'Keep the discussions short, do and think big. You don't need friends in Formula 1, you just need success'," he said.
Briatore is already forecasting a rapid return to competitiveness for the troubled team.
"In 2026, I will win races," Briatore told Italian radio Rai this week. "Alpine will be on the podium. This year, there are too many handicaps, but we are reshaping the whole team now."
"I have received full powers from Luca de Meo and that's what I'm used to. I guarantee it - in two seasons we will be talking about podiums," he insisted.
Briatore also told Bild newspaper: "I'm here because I want to be. I'm not doing this for money - I wanted to get back into Formula 1 to help this team."
"I decided that I'll return to Enstone for the third time, but only to win. I refused many offers to return to F1, but I said yes to this one because it's sexy and because I'm sentimental."
He also disclosed to La Repubblica newspaper that he recently had successful heart surgery to remove an ulcer. "The heart works," he smiled.
"You won't believe it, but I have feelings now," Briatore joked.
