Alpine currently sit bottom of the Constructors’ Championship on 20 points, a full 15 behind Haas, making this one of the team’s toughest seasons in recent memory. Leadership instability has compounded their on-track struggles. The departure of Oliver Oakes in May 2025, citing personal reasons, left Briatore temporarily handling additional duties, though the team has still not appointed a permanent principal for 2026. The recent hiring of Steve Nielsen as managing director has provided some structure, but questions remain over who will ultimately steer the team forward.
One prominent name being floated for that role is Christian Horner, the long-time Red Bull Racing team principal who was abruptly dismissed earlier this year and replaced by Laurent Mekies from within the Racing Bulls organisation. Horner’s tenure at Red Bull brought sustained dominance, and he has been open about his desire to return to the paddock in a leadership role similar to that of Toto Wolff at Mercedes, combining team ownership with operational control.
‘The time for Flavio is over’
Speaking to German outlet BILD, Ralf Schumacher gave a blunt assessment of Briatore’s suitability for leading Alpine’s resurgence. “I think the time for figures like Flavio is over,” he said. “You need technically skilled people at the top, someone like Horner.” He went on to suggest that Briatore could still serve as a valuable organiser and networker, acting as the public face of the team rather than the technical decision-maker.
Adding fuel to the rumour mill, it emerged this week that Horner is no longer officially listed as team director of Red Bull Racing, with Stefan Salzer — previously the company’s Global Head of HR — now holding the title. While Horner soon to become a free agent in the F1 job market, his proven track record makes him a tempting option for a team in need of decisive leadership.
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Briatore’s changing role
Briatore’s career in Formula 1 has always been a blend of flamboyant showmanship and aggressive management. His return last year was heralded as a chance for Alpine to tap into his deep industry connections, but results on track have been slow to follow. The Italian has faced similar criticism in the past, with detractors arguing that modern F1 requires leaders who can navigate the increasingly complex technical and regulatory environment rather than relying solely on business acumen and personal influence.
That said, Briatore’s defenders point out that his ability to secure key sponsorships and attract high-profile talent remains unmatched. If Alpine were to bring in a Horner-style principal to run the racing operation, Briatore could conceivably focus on commercial partnerships and brand positioning, leaving technical strategy to others.
Horner on the horizon?
Horner’s availability has inevitably attracted attention from several teams. At Red Bull, his tenure saw the outfit transition from midfield underdogs to a multiple-title-winning powerhouse. His departure was as abrupt as it was controversial, but few in the paddock doubt his capabilities. Horner himself has indicated he is not ready to leave the sport behind, hinting at a return that would allow him both ownership stakes and operational control, mirroring Wolff’s model at Mercedes.
For Alpine, a Horner appointment would mark a radical shift in leadership style — from Briatore’s old-school charisma to Horner’s reputation for operational precision and political manoeuvring. However, any such move would also bring with it the inevitable media spotlight, not all of it welcome, given the circumstances of Horner’s exit from Red Bull.
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And here we come to the fun part. Alpine’s current predicament feels a bit like watching someone insist that a cassette player will sound better if you just turn it up loud enough — charming in its nostalgia, but perhaps missing the point of modern technology. Briatore has the rolodex, the swagger, and the stories, but Formula 1 in 2025 is less about being the life of the paddock party and more about mastering a rulebook thicker than War and Peace.
Ralf Schumacher’s “time is over” comment might sound harsh, but he is not wrong in suggesting Alpine need a leader who can dive into the technical weeds while also steering the broader ship. Briatore could still be Alpine’s velvet-tongued ambassador, jetting off to charm sponsors and win over the press, while a more hands-on technical boss handles the business of making the car fast.
As for Horner, the man has the political stamina of a cat with nine lives and the appetite for competition of someone who has spent two decades trading jabs with the likes of Wolff, Binotto, and Vasseur. If Alpine can afford him — and if they can stomach the circus that inevitably follows — he might be exactly the injection of leadership they need.
The jury is out on whether Alpine will opt for the safe familiarity of Briatore or the combative, results-driven Horner approach. One thing is certain: sitting last in the Constructors’ table is not a position any team can afford to tolerate for long, and decisions made in the next few months will likely define their next era.
So, jury, what say you — is it time for the flamboyant Flavio to step back, or should Alpine double down and let him prove the doubters wrong? And if not Flavio, would you welcome Christian Horner’s brand of paddock politics at Enstone?
F1 plays down impending crisis
Formula One is entering the unknown as Adrian Newey describes it. “The reality is I can’t remember another time in Formula 1 when both the chassis regulations and the regulations have changed simultaneously.
“And in this case the chassis regulations have been very much written to try to compensate, let’s say, for the power unit regulations,” said the F1 car design guru at the Autosport’s annual January event this season.
Newey goes on to warn that one manufacturer may “dominate” the next era of F1 regulations stating, “there has to be a chance that one manufacturer will come out well on top and it’ll become a power unit-dominated regulation, at least to start with.”…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
