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Budkowski and Prost left Alpine; 'what about' a return of Briatore?

23 January 2022 at 18:05
Last update 23 January 2022 at 22:26
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  • GPblog.com

Flavio Briatore made sure that Renault became a successful team in Formula 1 and that Fernando Alonso managed to grab the world title for the French brand in 2005 and 2006. The two men still maintain a very good relationship. Could Briatore take on a role within the Alpine team where things are quite unsettled so close to the 2022 season?

Alpine's top man Marcin Budkowski was relieved of his duties this month and advisor Alain Prost also has no place in the new plans of the constructor led by CEO Laurent Rossi. So far no replacements have been appointed. Could this create a spot for Briatore? There are no rumours yet, but it might be a possibility.

Meeting Alonso and Briatore

Briatore was initially suspended for life by the FIA for his role in the 2008 crashgate. That lifetime suspension was eventually invalidated by a Paris court, allowing the flamboyant Italian to resume positions within Formula One from 2013. To date, however, he has not done so.

Alpine finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship last season, well behind P3 and P4 of Ferrari McLaren. It is to be hoped that the team from Viry has understood the 2022 regulations correctly, because the racing stable has not been competing at the front for years. Can Briatore make a contribution to bringing Alpine to the top (again) or is he a bygone legend? Let us know in the poll and comments!

Alonso himself has been talking about 'El Plan' for some time now. What that means exactly, he has not yet revealed, but the Spaniard is planning something big for 'his' Alpine (formerly Renault of course, ed.).