Briatore hints at first 2025 Alpine driver

New Alpine advisor Flavio Briatore appears to have confirmed Pierre Gasly for 2025, with the team's former boss revealing that a team-mate for the Frenchman is currently "not the priority".

Alpine hiring its former team principal – when known as Renault – has caused a stir in the paddock this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, with Briatore being keen to get Alpine back up the order.

Currently, the Enstone-based outfit has two seats available for 2025. Gasly is without a contract and it has already been confirmed that Esteban Ocon will not continue with the team. 

However, in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Briatore indicated that Gasly will continue with the French squad next year.

"That (the lineup for 2025) is not the priority now," Briatore said. "The most important thing is to make the car competitive. Otherwise no driver can make a difference. 

"I do have a shortlist of names to evaluate, but we have Gasly in the short-term anyway. We will quietly see who will be his team-mate. 

"We are following many young drivers, I'm not going to say who, but they are very good. First we have to make the car faster and easier, then we'll think about the drivers."

Why is Briatore back?

As mentioned, Briatore returning to the French outfit has divided opinions in the F1 paddock, given his significant role in the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix Crashgate saga. 

One question which has been raised is whether its right for him to be back in F1 in an advisory role, given his controversial past. 

However, Briatore has stressed that he has been hungry to return to the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport. 

"Because it's a challenge, because I feel fit and because I know how to build a team," he explained, when asked why he has returned. 

"I accepted this because I wanted it. I have not been in F1 for 12 years and I have the desire to start again. Actually, not much has changed. 

"I have to help the team and get them back to where they belong and where the president wants to see them."