Flavio Briatore has addressed rumours about Franco Colapinto's chances of joining Alpine's Formula 1 lineup in 2025, reaffirming the team's commitment to its current drivers and academy talent.
Ahead of the Abu Dhabi GP, Alpine made headlines by replacing Esteban Ocon with rookie Jack Doohan, who is already signed for the full 2025 season. Speculation swirled that the move was designed to pressure Doohan whilst also leveraging commercial interest in Williams-contracted rookie Franco Colapinto.
Briatore, Alpine's new executive advisor, has clarified the team's stance.
"I'm interested in any driver who is fast," he told Auto Motor und Sport. "Colapinto surprised everyone. But we have contracts with (Pierre) Gasly, Doohan and (Paul) Aron for next season."
Williams boss James Vowles recently set a mid-December deadline for any team interested in buying out Colapinto's contract. With that deadline now passed, Briatore suggested that the Argentine rookie could only be a consideration for 2026.
"If there was an opportunity to get Colapinto for 2026, we would have to think about it," Briatore admitted. "But you also have to always be careful when assessing drivers.
"In this sport, you are quickly praised after a good race. Then the price goes up, and we're suddenly talking about 20 or 30 million dollars. Today, there are six or seven drivers in Formula 2 and Formula 3 who are very promising."
Briatore emphasised Alpine's focus on its own driver academy talents. "We want to concentrate on the good ones in our academy, so it will probably end up with only three—Aron, (Gabriele) Mini, and (Victor) Martins."
The 74-year-old also revealed he held talks with Carlos Sainz before the departing Ferrari driver signed for Williams.
"I spoke to Sainz," Briatore said. "He was interesting for us, but only for four years. It makes no sense to take a driver like Carlos for one or two years. Either he believes in our program or he doesn't.
"I don't need a driver who costs me a lot of money and is looking forward to going to another team if the opportunity arises."
Alpine's decision to sign 21-year-old Doohan reflects a broader shift in Formula 1 towards younger drivers, Briatore explained.
"It is now time for a generational change," he said. "Sainz is a very good driver, but when he was on the market, none of the top teams took him. They prefer to rely on young drivers.
"Toto Wolff relies on (Kimi) Antonelli, Christian Horner on (Liam) Lawson. Young drivers are hungrier than someone who has a wife and two children and 30 or 40 million in the bank."
