As noted earlier this week with regards to Valtteri Bottas, the F1 driver game of musical chairs is nearing an end, with only four seats remaining open in 2025: Bottas’ current team Sauber, Visa Cash App RB F1 Team and Mercedes.
The fourth and final vacant spot? It’s Alpine. The French-based team has already signed Pierre Gasly to a new “multi-year” contract, but the spot next to him is still open. Several drivers are rumored to be involved in that slot, including Jack Doohan, who is currently Alpine’s reserve, and Mick Schumacher, who drives for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship. Carlos Sainz Jr. was also rumored to be with Alpine, but decided to sign a “multi-year” contract with Williams.
But has Alpine’s new boss Flavio Briatore revealed who that driver might be, or at least the type of driver they’re aiming for? Secrets to success Speaking on a podcast with former driver David Coulthard and ex-team owner Eddie Jordan, Briatore spoke about how he sees the “new Alpine”, sharing his thoughts on what the team needs to improve and what he wants from its new driver.
Speaking about his expectations for the team going forward, Briatore outlined a two-year timeline for Alpine’s next podium finish.
“Alpine, I promise. Alpine, give me two years.” Briatore said:“In two years we’ll be on the podium.”
When asked who the second driver would be, Briatore dismissed the question, pointing to the long list of improvements he wants to see from Alpine.
“We don’t know yet,” Briatore said when asked by Jordan when Alpine would select its second driver. [at] At this moment… all you need is [to[ put the team together, from the commercial side, the technical side, the management side.
“The driver [makes] There is no difference. The difference now is [will be] 2006, 2007, 2008. This will be the difference for the drivers.”
After noting that Carlos Sainz Jr. was “close” to signing with Williams (the podcast was recorded at the end of July), Briatore went back to the elements that need improvement at Alpine, focusing first on the car itself.
“And for me, this moment [it] “The only thing that matters is the performance of the car. It’s a job of completely rebuilding the team. If you have a good car, you need a good driver,” Briatore said.
“If the car is not performing well at the moment, then we want to focus all our efforts on the technical side to make sure that the Alpine car gets better and better for next year, and we continue to improve it.”
“And then in 2026, I think we’ll see a new Alpine.”
Briatore didn’t reveal who the second driver would be, but his comments seem to echo the younger driver’s sentiments: from a brief reading of Briatore’s comments, he seems to be saying that improving the car is the first priority, and once the car is finally good, then they need a good driver.
This suggests that either Doohan or Schumacher could be a younger option for Alpine. After all, with a year or two of experience they could develop into better drivers. Hopefully by the time Alpine can provide them with a better car they will have become the “good” driver that Briatore has his eye on.
Photo: Michael Potts/BSR Agency/Getty Images
Schumacher and Doohan could also collaborate on the car’s development, though for different reasons: As for Doohan, he has decided not to race one more season in F2 to focus on reserve driver duties, providing simulator feedback and taking part in multiple test sessions.
In Doohan’s own words, that feedback has been crucial for the team in improving the A524 this season. Doohan explained this to me during a discussion at the Miami Grand Prix: “We can spend as much time as possible racing during the season. [to be] Friday in the simulator [and during] race [for] SIM support. This is a great opportunity to test more components. [that we aren’t] “Due to time constraints we can’t test on the track,” Doohan told me in May, “so we can stay in the simulator from morning until late at night and try everything we want to do in those conditions.”
“So it’s really important to make the most of every weekend and that helps with your development too. [of the car].”
As for Schumacher, his experience as a full-time driver on the grid could also be an advantage for Alpine as they look to improve their challenger car for 2024 and beyond.
It’s unclear when Alpine will name a second driver, or even who that driver might be, but Briatore’s comments seem to fit with a Doohan/Schumacher-type driver being named. We’re still betting on Doohan, but it may be a few weeks before we know for sure.
