
Flavio Briatore: Ultimately, the result matters.
Flavio Briatore on the future and lineup of the Alpine team…
Question: Flavio, what qualities does Franco Colapinto need to show to stay in the team?
Flavio Briatore: I’ve already seen everything he can do. It’s a difficult question. Modern cars are very heavy, very fast. He finds them hard to handle. For a young driver who is just starting out in Formula 1, now is not the most suitable time. Maybe he needs another year or two to feel like part of Formula 1.
Ultimately, the result is what matters to us. He tries very hard. He really tries to please the engineers in every way, but that’s not what I expect from Colapinto.
Question: Next week Steve Nielsen will start working with the team. What is his main task?
Flavio Briatore: I’ve known Steve for a long time; he was with me at Renault. We need a good manager, someone who knows the system and the people, who can coordinate the team’s work from A to Z. And I expect Steve to do that. His first day is Monday, and our first race with Steve is in Monza.
Question: Pierre Gasly is doing very well in a season that is very difficult for the team. Do you think he is suitable to lead the team into the future?
Flavio Briatore: Yes. Absolutely. He’s good. He’s consistent. He’s a team player. I know him very well. Pierre is the foundation of the team for the future.
Question: Did you consider inviting Christian Horner?
Flavio Briatore: At the moment I’m not considering anything. Christian is currently not working in Formula 1. I hope he returns soon. But at this moment he is not part of the team’s plans.
Question: Renault has a new CEO. How did the talks go? What goals did you set together? Do you still believe the team will fight for podiums next year and possibly for the title in 2027?
Flavio Briatore: A new CEO is not news for Renault over the past thirty years. Francois Provo was the second-in-command after Luca De Meo. He is very passionate about the Formula 1 program. Renault wants to stay in Formula 1. I suppose he will come to the next round in Monza.
The new chairman of the board, Jean-Dominique Sénard, also strongly supports Formula 1. But everyone wants better results. This year is difficult for us. We invested a lot of effort into the 2026 car. Perhaps we made a mistake by not taking any steps to develop the car from the start of the season, and now we’re paying for it. At the moment two or three tenths of a second is ten or fifteen cars. In addition, we are seriously behind in engine power.
We’d like to forget this year as soon as possible and succeed in 2026. That’s what we’re hoping for right now. And at the moment there are no dramatic events for us at Renault Group, no changes to the program. Everyone is happy.
Question: The target for 2026 — podiums?
Flavio Briatore: Yes. Because otherwise I’d have to change jobs. Do you have a job for me?
Question: At the start of the season you changed the driver, inviting Franco Colapinto instead of Jack Doohan. Will Franco race until the end of the season? Is there a chance he’ll be replaced? What were your plans for the second driver in 2026?
Flavio Briatore: Perhaps the high pressure of Formula 1 doesn’t allow Franco to show his potential. Last year he raced several times at Williams, where he looked decent. Perhaps it’s harder for him to perform with us alongside such a strong driver as Pierre, or we’re putting too much pressure on him. We need to take that into account.
You have to understand what’s going on in these guys’ heads. They’re only 19, 20, 22, 23 years old — and I think we’re wrong to underestimate the human side of a driver. We always look at the results on the track. Maybe I missed something in Colapinto’s manager’s role. As for the future, honestly, I don’t know.

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Flavio Briatore: Ultimately, the result matters.
Flavio Briatore on the future and the lineup of the Alpine team…