F1 team boss facing uncertain future as 2027 plans put on hold amid sale rumours
Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images Flavio Briatore’s future at Alpine looks to be up in the air, with suggestions he could be out by 2027 as he reportedly has no influence over the potential sale of Otro Capital’s stake. There’s already been a big change in 2026, with Jonathan Wheatley moving from Audi to Aston Martin to step into the role left vacant by Adrian Newey. Briatore is now under pressure, and with questions swirling around Alpine’s direction, there are growing signs he could be on his way out of Enstone in 2027.
Briatore’s 2027 departure from Alpine looks more likely After closing down their Renault factory and signing a new engine deal with Mercedes, Alpine are now in a rebuilding phase. Briatore has set the target of qualifying between sixth and seventh every race, and the team currently sits fifth in the standings. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto have shown signs of promise, but Alpine’s direction is far from settled.
Tensions over where the team is headed are growing, but Briatore appears increasingly unlikely to be part of whatever happens next. Otro Capital, who hold a 24% minority stake in Alpine, are looking to sell. There is reported interest from Mercedes, Christian Horner and BYD.
UOL has reported that Briatore would have ‘no say’ in this sale. No matter who ends up taking Otro’s shares, he’s not expected to stay on beyond the end of the current season. The existing agreement between Mercedes and Alpine could become even more complicated if they end up buying Otro’s shares.
Zak Brown raised concerns in an open letter to the FIA, suggesting such a move could turn Enstone into little more than a Mercedes satellite team. If Horner secures a deal for Otro’s stake via Renault approval, he could gain control over Alpine’s driver line-up. He sees this as his path back onto the grid and would be able to exercise more influence over staffing decisions.