De Meo’s departure leaves Alpine Formula One unchanged, says Briatore
Flavio Briatore Reassures Stability at Alpine F1 Amid Renault CEO Departure
Flavio Briatore, the de facto principal of the Alpine Formula One team, reaffirmed on Sunday that the departure of Renault CEO Luca de Meo will not impact the team’s operations or strategy. Speaking after the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal, Briatore dismissed concerns that the leadership shake-up could disrupt Alpine’s plans, offering praise for de Meo’s new career move and confidently asserting his continued focus on steering the team forward.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Briatore said when asked about how de Meo’s exit affects Alpine. "Nothing changed for me. Not for me or the team. And congratulations to Luca, new job," he added.
Renault CEO Departure Confirmed
De Meo’s exit was officially confirmed by Renault following a report from Le Figaro that revealed his plans to take the helm of luxury retail group Kering. Despite the transition, Briatore—known for his title-winning tenure with the Benetton and Renault Formula One teams—maintained that both his role and Alpine’s trajectory remained steady.
Challenges Facing Alpine F1
Alpine, backed by high-profile investors including Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds and NFL icons Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, is enduring a difficult season, sitting last in the Constructor’s standings. While speculation continues about the team’s future, Briatore has denied rumors of an impending sale and dismissed claims that his return to Formula One was designed to boost performance ahead of selling the team.
Switch to Mercedes Power Units in 2024
The recent decision by Renault to cease engine production at its Viry-Chatillon factory has pushed Alpine to make critical changes heading into the next season. Beginning in 2024, the team will switch to Mercedes power units, marking a pivotal shift as they move away from being the only team running Renault engines. The switch comes after Renault revealed the significant cost disparity between producing engines in-house versus purchasing them—€250 million ($289 million) annually versus less than $20 million when sourced externally.
Given these financial considerations, the move to Mercedes power units was seen as a practical choice, though Briatore emphasized that Alpine’s overall direction remains unaffected by de Meo’s departure.
Focus on Stability and Improvement
As Alpine F1 navigates a challenging period both on and off the track, Briatore’s comments reflect a determination to maintain stability despite the ripple effects of corporate changes at Renault. With a new power unit partnership and a refreshed outlook, the team faces an uphill battle to climb the standings, but Briatore’s confidence suggests that its foundations are secure for now.
Fans Await Results Amid Alpine’s Transition
Fans and investors alike will be watching closely to see if Alpine can translate these operational changes into tangible improvement in performance. For now, Briatore appears resolute in leading the team through uncertain times.
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