Briatore sidelined: 'Time for figures like him is over, Alpine needs someone like Horner'

Returned to Formula 1 in June 2024 as an executive advisor for Alpine, his historic team with which he won two world championships alongside Fernando Alonso, Flavio Briatore’s second stint in the top category has so far failed to deliver the expected results, particularly this year.

The French team currently sits at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with 20 points, 15 fewer than Haas.

Adding to this is leadership instability following Oliver Oakes’ departure last May, following his resignation for personal reasons.

The Italian manager has temporarily taken over his duties, yet the team still lacks a permanent team principal for 2026, despite the recent appointment of Steve Nielsen as managing director.

One of the top names on the market for next year is Christian Horner, who was dismissed with immediate effect from his role as CEO and team principal of Red Bull Racing, and replaced by Laurent Mekies, who was promoted from within the Racing Bulls organization.

When asked by BILD whether Alpine needs someone like Horner, Ralf Schumacher was clear in his response: "I think the time for figures like Flavio is over. You need technically skilled people at the top, someone like Horner.''

He then added: ''Flavio could then help as an organizer and networker, as a face to the outside world."

It was also reported just yesterday that the Englishman is no longer officially the team director of the Austrian outfit, having been replaced by Stefan Salzer, who represented the Global Head of HR at Red Bull GmbH.

Horner is expected at some point to return to Formula 1, and it is no secret that he intends to take on a role similar to Toto Wolff’s at Mercedes, where Wolff is both a shareholder and the team principal.