Flavio Briatore delivers wide-ranging statements on Alpine’s 2026 prospects during the Bahrain testing sessions in Sakhir
Flavio Briatore is in top form. The Italian executive at the helm of Alpine—marking the team’s inaugural year with Mercedes power units following Renault’s departure at the end of 2025—spoke candidly in Bahrain regarding the 2026 challenger and the broader state of Formula 1.
Moving seamlessly from one topic to the next, Briatore granted a direct, no-nonsense press conference to Sky Sport F1. It was a performance in pure Briatore style: blunt, insightful, and devoid of PR-speak.
The Mercedes Power Unit: A Crucial Turning Point
Interviewed by Matteo Bobbi and Davide Camicioli, Briatore began by addressing Alpine’s current standing:
“Last year, we were at the back of the grid and had a mountain to climb. From what we can see now, we are positioned just behind the top four teams—that is where we ought to be. By Melbourne, we will have everything our competitors have in terms of engine performance.””.
Addressing the performance levels of Mercedes-powered teams, Briatore noted:
“Currently, we are running our Power Unit in a conservative mode. We have an excellent relationship with Mercedes and are collaborating very effectively. In Melbourne, we will also see the true weights of the cars: some will be underweight, some on the limit, and others overweight. This factor will heavily influence the results“.
He quickly dismissed rumors regarding the legality of the Mercedes hardware: “Mercedes PU? There’s nothing irregular I am satisfied, and I expected this. They followed every FIA directive to the letter; everything is above board. There has been a great deal of controversy over nothing”. .
Briatore’ statements: Sprint topic and who runs for the title
When asked about the possibility of expanding to 12 Sprint Races by 2027, Briatore went even further: “Twelve Sprints? I would do 24! The fans love them, and it would make Fridays meaningful. It isn’t just about the ‘show’; it’s about providing something engaging for the viewers at home on Fridays. Otherwise, we are essentially only racing on Saturday and Sunday. Those who are behind will stay behind regardless of how many free practice sessions you have “.
““Perhaps we could award more points, extending them down to 12th or 13th place. As for Melbourne? We shall see; I expect to be ahead of Williams. The top four teams (Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull) will be out front, and our goal is to be right behind them, even if the gaps remain significant “.
“Pierre [Gasly] and Franco [Colapinto] have worked exceptionally well. Last year, we essentially had only one driver and a terrible car! The wave of popularity surrounding F1 is now massive; we should communicate more with the fans and help people understand the inner workings of the sport“.
Finally, regarding the struggles at Aston Martin Honda, Briatore remained cautious: “Aston Martin? I cannot speak for other teams. Last year, we weren’t competitive—it was a ‘Greek tragedy’ for us! But it is certainly difficult to figure out what is happening over there“.
When asked who enters the season as the frontrunner for the World Championship, Briatore was unequivocal:
“Mercedes as the title favorite? You can’t bet against them”. “.
Photos: BWT Alpine Formula One Team
