Alpine F1 team principal Flavio Briatore has expressed that the easiest way to secure championship victories is to sign Max Verstappen, the Dutch driver who would bring immediate success to any team he joined. Briatore, 75, currently serves as executive advisor and de facto team principal of Alpine, and shared his perspective ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix on the team’s ambitions and challenges.

Briatore confidently stated that Alpine can win races in 2026 and aims to challenge for the world championship in 2027. He emphasized that switching to Mercedes power units was a difficult but necessary decision, as having the same tools as rivals is crucial to winning in Formula 1. He acknowledged that Alpine had lagged behind in this regard for historical reasons, but insisted that with the new 2026 regulations, the teams that best interpret these changes will have a competitive advantage. He praised Renault, Alpine, and Luca de Meo for making bold decisions that set the team up for success. When asked about the possibility of winning a title in this timeframe, Briatore admitted that signing Max Verstappen would be the easiest route to achieving that goal. However, he acknowledged that this is not possible, so the team must work with the resources available.

Alpine has recently undergone significant driver changes, including replacing Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto following the Miami Grand Prix. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has been linked with a potential exit from Red Bull Racing amid concerns about Red Bull’s competitiveness against rivals such as McLaren. While Alpine is not currently linked with Verstappen, significant regulatory changes looming in 2026 could make Alpine a more attractive option for Verstappen if he seeks a new challenge beyond Red Bull.

Regarding his future, Max Verstappen addressed rumors of his departure from Red Bull during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Despite the speculation generated by Red Bull’s recent struggles against McLaren and other teams, Verstappen downplayed the possibility of an exit. He stated that he is focused solely on his car and working with his current team, remaining calm in the face of speculation.

Verstappen is reportedly linked to several teams, including Aston Martin, which recently hired chief designer Adrian Newey and partnered with Honda, the engine supplier behind Verstappen’s four world championships to date. It remains unclear whether Verstappen will leave Red Bull before the 2026 season.

In short, Flavio Briatore believes signing Max Verstappen is the most direct route to winning championships, but since this isn’t feasible, Alpine must maximize its current assets and adapt to the new regulations to remain competitive. Meanwhile, Verstappen remains focused on his current team despite rumors of a possible transfer, as the 2026 regulatory overhaul could transform the Formula 1 driver market.