Briatore’s Alpine Dilemma: The High-Stakes Decision That Could Define the Team’s Future

The paddock buzz in Baku was palpable as Flavio Briatore dropped what might be the most significant driver market bombshell of the season. Standing in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix paddock, the Alpine Executive Advisor didn’t mince words about who’s really in the running for that coveted second seat alongside Pierre Gasly in 2026.

“It’s between Franco and Paul,” Briatore told The Race with his characteristic directness. But behind those simple words lies a decision that could make or break Alpine’s ambitious climb back up the Formula 1 hierarchy.

The Weight of Briatore’s Legacy in Driver Selection

When Briatore speaks about driver talent, the Formula 1 world listens. This is the man who spotted a young Michael Schumacher tearing up Group C sports cars and immediately knew he was witnessing something special. The same intuition led him to Fernando Alonso, plucking the Spaniard from the junior categories after witnessing his dominance.

“I remember testing Fernando. I put Fernando in Minardi and Giancarlo called me and said: ‘I have never seen stuff like that,'” Briatore recalled, his eyes lighting up with the memory of discovering raw, unfiltered talent.

But here’s where the current situation gets fascinating and perhaps a little concerning for Alpine fans. Briatore admits he doesn’t see that same explosive talent elsewhere on the grid right now. “I don’t see any other possibility,” he said, referring to other potential candidates.

“We see other ones, but we don’t feel it – because the good guys go ‘boom’.” That’s a sobering assessment from someone who’s built his reputation on identifying future world champions before anyone else catches on.

Colapinto’s Rocky Alpine Journey

Franco Colapinto’s Alpine story reads like a cautionary tale about expectations versus reality. The Argentinian arrived with considerable fanfare after his impressive stint as Williams’ super-sub, but his Alpine chapter has been anything but smooth sailing.

Since replacing Jack Doohan after just six races, Colapinto has struggled to find his rhythm in the blue and pink machinery. His best result of 11th place tells only part of the story. However, the real narrative lies in the visible frustration of a driver who knows he’s capable of more but can’t seem to unlock the car’s potential.

Watching Colapinto in Baku qualifying, you could see the determination etched on his face as he climbed out of the cockpit. This isn’t just about securing a drive for 2026; it’s about proving that his Williams performances weren’t a fluke, that he belongs among Formula 1’s elite.

Aron’s Calculated Approach

Paul Aron represents the alternative path of methodical, calculated, and undeniably quick racing. The Estonian’s journey through the junior categories has been impressive, finishing third in his debut F2 season and making the most of his limited F1 opportunities. Three Free Practice sessions might not seem like much, but in Formula 1’s brutal assessment culture, those brief moments behind the wheel carry enormous weight.

Aron’s performances in FP1 with both Kick Sauber and Alpine have been solid, professional, and mistake-free, which is exactly what you’d want from a reserve driver stepping up.”Paul is a very nice guy, a very quick driver as well,” Briatore noted. That combination of speed and professionalism shouldn’t be underestimated in a sport where one mistake can cost millions and derail entire championship campaigns.

The Briatore Decision-Making Process

What makes this situation particularly intriguing is Briatore’s admission that he needs more time to evaluate both candidates. “I need another one or two races to see, but honestly, today I don’t know,” he confessed. This isn’t the Briatore of old, who could spot talent from a single test session.

This is a more measured, perhaps more cautious version of the Italian mastermind, someone who understands that Alpine’s future trajectory depends heavily on getting this decision right. The pressure is immense. Alpine has invested heavily in infrastructure, brought in top-tier talent across all departments, and set ambitious goals for its return to competitiveness. The wrong driver choice could set back those plans by years.

Beyond Personal Interests

Perhaps most refreshing is Briatore’s insistence that personal management ties won’t influence his decision. “Before the people were driving me mad because I was managing 50% of the drivers. Now, I don’t manage anybody,” he stated emphatically.

“My only interest is to try to take in the team the best driver available and do the best job with us. It is as simple as that.”This commitment to pure merit-based selection should give Alpine fans confidence that whoever gets the nod will truly deserve it based on raw pace and potential rather than political considerations.

The Ticking Clock

As the season progresses, every session becomes crucial for both Colapinto and Aron. Each qualifying run, each race stint, each moment behind the wheel is being scrutinized by one of Formula 1’s most experienced talent evaluators.For Colapinto, the pressure is to translate his undeniable speed into consistent points-paying performances.

For Aron, it’s about making the most of any opportunity that comes his way, proving he’s ready for the step up from reserve to race driver. The Alpine faithful will be watching closely, knowing that this decision could define their team’s trajectory for years to come. In Briatore, they trust, but the weight of that trust has never felt heavier