Max Verstappen addresses fresh interest from unlikely F1 suitor

Max Verstappen has responded to Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore's words of praise at the Spanish Grand Prix. 

The Italian is the the Enstone-based squad's de facto team principal after the shock resignation of Oliver Oakes following the Miami Grand Prix and has not been shy about expressing his admiration of the Red Bull driver.

Speaking at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Briatore hinted that the quickest way to lead Alpine to Formula 1 championships is to attract Verstappen.

It is just one element of a full-scale press offensive to talk up the French team's credentials heading into the new F1 regulatory era.

Over the winter, the rules surrounding both chassis and aerodynamics, and power units, are being significantly overhauled.

As part of Alpine's evolving strategy to pull clear from the F1 midfield, it has forgone its works team status in favour of being a Mercedes engine customer, a highly unusual and controversial move.

Briatore has recently suggested the team will be in a position to win races as early as next season, but the driver situation remains an area of contention.

Jack Doohan was sidelined just six rounds into the campaign and stand-in Franco Colapinto has thus far failed to impress.

Therefore, it is no surprise the 74-year-old is open to, and looking at options. Top of almost every F1 team's driver wishlist, Verstappen was asked about compliment from Briatore.

"That will cost Alpine," the Red Bull driver told Viaplay. "But that is not at all... [an issue] at the moment."

When questioned as to whether it was nice to hear such words from Briatore, the four-time F1 drivers' champion agreed.

"Yes indeed, but I get on well with Flavio," he said. "My father, of course, knows him from before [when he raced for Benetton].

"You also really do see a clear change at Alpine in the last year, with, for example, attracting new sponsors. So, he does that well."