Briatore demands Alpine stop accepting mediocrity: 'Why are we not winning?'

Flavio Briatore has publicly challenged Alpine to stop accepting midfield mediocrity and start winning, insisting the Enstone squad already has the tools to fight at the front. The veteran advisor argues that despite a Mercedes power unit deal and major factory investment, the team still lacks the creative risk-taking and winning mindset required to match F1's elite.

Why it matters:

Alpine has been stuck in the midfield for years despite its resources and historic pedigree. Briatore's intervention signals that patience has run out, and the pressure is now on technical leadership to deliver results rather than excuses. His candid assessment could force a cultural reset inside a team that has repeatedly failed to turn potential into podiums.

The details:

• In an interview with The Race, Briatore asked why Alpine cannot beat McLaren or Ferrari, pointing to the Mercedes engine partnership and heavy CapEx as proof the foundations are solid.
• He dismissed the idea that facilities alone guarantee success, citing Aston Martin's state-of-the-art campus and still-lacking results as evidence that mindset matters more than machinery.
• Briatore revealed his bonus is tied to dragging Alpine from P10 into the top six this season, calling it a necessary first step before any title talk.
• Technical Director David Sanchez now has stability to evaluate the engineering roster, replacing an era of constant upheaval where there was "no picture" of who was performing.

What's next:

With stability settling over Enstone and talent reportedly calling to rejoin rather than flee to rivals, Briatore believes the pieces are in place for a resurgence. The immediate test is whether Alpine can transform that potential into results and prove that Enstone's championship DNA is more than just history.