F1 | Alpine: Briatore consultant of a group that wants the team

Last April 9, Motorsport.com reported paddock rumors relating to various groups interested in purchasing the Alpine F1 team, which were immediately denied by the team: “it won’t sell”. The tom-tam continued in the following weeks and the information became more detailed. The scenario that emerged in May confirms the interest of several potential buyers, but there is conflicting information regarding Alpine’s desire to sell the team.

There was (at least) one offer rejected by the CEO of Groupe Renault, Luca De Meo, but proposals from other consortiums are being evaluated by French executives. There was talk of an offer coming from a group of investors led by Geely Auto Group, which also owns (in joint venture with Volvo) the Lynk & Co brand. The Chinese group would be interested in entering Formula 1 to propose itself on international markets as a committed manufacturer directly present on the track.

There is also a second group of investors represented by Flavio Briatore, mediator between the financiers of the proposal and De Meo. When the name of the former Renault team principal appeared in the media, Alpine released an official statement: “As a team, we are in frequent contact with numerous industry experts in order to improve our performance. We consider all relevant input and, when appropriate, seek advice from people with experience and a track record of success. We cannot comment on individual issues.” Words that leave the time they find, in fact they do not confirm but above all they do not deny.

Another story is team management, again no less complex. The team is looking for a team principal, a role entrusted to Bruno Famin in July last year. His presence (indicated by the interim team itself) lasted longer than initially expected, but his assignment still seems to be close to expiring.

During the Monte Carlo weekend it was whispered that two candidates (one with experience in the role and a second who would appear in F1 for the first time) kindly rejected the proposal, probably also due to a still unclear future on the front of the property. There are those who have also linked Briatore’s name to this role, but managing the team is not in his plans.