Briatore delivers damning Alpine driver change warning

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore has not ruled out changing drivers mid-season, increasing the pressure on rookie Jack Doohan. 

The Enstone-based team will field Pierre Gasly and Doohan in the 2025 F1 campaign, with Briatore having confirmed that both drivers will race in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. 

However, Briatore has failed to confirm if the two drivers will complete the entire season, with the 74-year-old being an admirer of Franco Colapinto. 

Colapinto is without a seat on the grid following his nine appearances for Williams last year after replacing Logan Sargeant. 

He was linked to both Red Bull and Alpine, with the rumours surrounding himself and the French team having not completely disappeared. 

Alpine also now has former F2 driver Paul Aron as its reserve, increasing the pressure on Gasly, but mostly Doohan to immediately perform.

Briatore is determined to get Alpine closer to the frontrunners, and has insisted that if results are not delivered then driver changes will be made. 

“The only certain thing is death,” Briatore told Le Parisien.

“We start the year with Pierre and Jack, I guarantee it. After that, we’ll see during the season. I have to help the team reach a situation where it can achieve results.

“The driver is the one who has to finish the work of the almost one thousand people behind him.

“Everyone works for just two people. And if there is a driver who is not making progress, who is not bringing results, he will be changed.”