Breaking news:F1 chief bemoans DOUBLE driver loss in major team blow…. Read More
F1 chief bemoans DOUBLE driver loss in major team blow…. Read More
A Formula 1 team advisor has openly criticized his own team after a challenging period that saw the loss of two key drivers. As the 2024 season comes to a close, most teams have already confirmed their driver lineups for the upcoming year, but rumors continue to swirl about potential driver changes, early contract terminations, and other behind-the-scenes adjustments across the paddock.
Among all the teams on the grid, one remains uncertain about its driver lineup for 2025: Red Bull’s junior team, Visa Cash App RB. This delay is largely due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Sergio Perez’s future at Red Bull Racing, where he partners with Max Verstappen. Despite being contracted with Christian Horner’s team until 2026, Perez’s underwhelming performance in 2024, including a disappointing DNF at the season finale, has led Red Bull to publicly acknowledge that they are reassessing his position within the team. A decision on his future is expected soon.
This uncertainty has put the junior team RB in a difficult position, as they have not confirmed whether Liam Lawson will remain with Yuki Tsunoda for 2025. Lawson, a young talent from New Zealand, is reportedly being considered as a potential replacement for Perez if Red Bull decides to part ways with the Mexican driver ahead of next season. This situation highlights the complex nature of Formula 1 driver lineups, where performance and contract status can lead to swift changes and reshuffling within teams.
One notable figure in F1 who has been vocal about team management issues is Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor to the Alpine team. Briatore, who made a controversial return to F1 in 2024 after a lengthy ban due to the infamous ‘Crashgate’ scandal, has shared his frustrations with Alpine’s management, particularly regarding the loss of two prominent drivers, Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri, during the summer of 2022. In an exclusive interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Briatore explained that the decisions leading to both drivers’ departures were a source of immense disappointment for him.
Briatore openly admitted that it was a huge blow to lose both Alonso and Piastri in such a short span of time. The mishandling of driver announcements at Alpine became infamous when the team confirmed Piastri for their 2023 lineup, only for the Australian to publicly deny the claim on social media, announcing instead that he would be joining McLaren. Briatore emphasized the confusion and poor communication surrounding the situation, noting that the team had initially planned to extend Alonso’s contract after a decent season in 2022, but management failures led to the breakdown of those talks.
According to Briatore, Alonso was eager to stay with Alpine, especially after a solid performance in the previous year. The plan was to finalize a contract extension during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. However, things took a sudden turn when Alpine’s management, led by then-team principal Laurent Rossi, went quiet, and they were unable to reach him. Briatore claimed that it was at this point that he began exploring other options for Alonso, including talks with Lawrence Stroll from Aston Martin and even a proposal from Williams.
Ultimately, Alonso signed with Aston Martin, which Briatore argued was a direct consequence of Alpine’s management failures. He criticized the team for not getting its business in order in time to secure Alonso’s services, leading to the driver’s departure. Briatore took this opportunity to make it clear that if Alpine’s management had given him full responsibility, things might have gone differently. He expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that Alpine’s leadership failures were a major factor in the loss of both Alonso and Piastri.
Despite these setbacks, Alpine finished the 2024 season in 6th place in the Constructors’ Championship, a result that, while not stellar, allowed the team to recover somewhat after a disastrous start to the year. Looking ahead to 2025, Alpine is optimistic about its prospects, especially with the addition of Jack Doohan, who will join the team as a full-time driver alongside Pierre Gasly. The hope is that with a more stable driver lineup and a stronger management structure, Alpine will be able to make significant strides in the upcoming season.
As the 2024 season concludes, the F1 landscape continues to evolve, with shifting driver lineups and management changes playing a key role in shaping the future of teams. While Red Bull’s junior team faces a critical decision regarding its driver lineup, Alpine is focused on regrouping after a difficult period, hoping to capitalize on its new talent and improve its performance for the years to come.
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