Briatore: Alpine Won't Chase 'Monster High-Profile' Technical Hires

Flavio Briatore has ruled out recruiting "monster high-profile" technical figures for Alpine's rebuild, insisting the team will instead cultivate internal talent and consistency.

Now de facto team principal after Oliver Oakes' resignation earlier in 2026, Briatore says the team does not need celebrity technical hires. Enstone sits sixth in the standings at the summer break, chasing Racing Bulls for fifth with its new Mercedes customer deal.

Why it matters:

Alpine has endured years of turbulence, burning through leadership since 2023. Briatore argues Enstone created giants like Ross Brawn and Pat Symonds, and he intends to repeat that process rather than import stars.

The details:

• Briatore took control after Oakes' departure, installing Steve Nielsen alongside executive technical director David Sanchez and racing director Dave Greenwood.
• Headcount dropped from roughly 1,300 to 900, cutting personnel Briatore felt were unnecessary.
• The Mercedes switch is paying off: Pierre Gasly scored Alpine's first dry-weather podium since 2023 in Monaco, while Franco Colapinto has added six top-10s, including a career-best sixth in Canada.
• Briatore is unsatisfied. "We need big improvements everywhere if you want to win."

What's next:

Briatore wants experienced leaders, but insists reputation alone is not the answer, citing Aston Martin's structure as proof that big names do not guarantee results.

• The target is a cohesive group, not one savior, with Briatore estimating the rebuild needs "2 or 3 years."
• With Mercedes power paying off, the focus is refining Enstone's in-house technology and converting stability into long-term competitiveness.