Alpine has already started to look at possible opportunities in the Formula 1 driver market for the upcoming seasons. Flavio Briatore admitted that he is closely monitoring the situation of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, especially in light of rumors involving a possible arrival of Max Verstappen at the German team.
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The interest has grown because Toto Wolff remains connected to the name of the Red Bull Racing driver. Although Verstappen has not shown a clear intention to leave his team at this moment, speculations about negotiations behind the scenes continue to stir the paddock of the category.
Briatore made it clear that any change at Mercedes could open important opportunities for Alpine. The executive stated that he intends to wait to better understand the scenario before making decisions about the team’s driver lineup.
“We don’t know what will happen with Mercedes,” said Alpine’s executive consultant in an interview with The Race. According to him, there is still uncertainty about a possible move by the German team for Verstappen.
“We don’t know if Mercedes will sign Max, or something like that. So, we will see what we have available before proceeding,” Briatore added when commenting on Alpine’s plans for the future in Formula 1.
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While monitoring the Mercedes situation, the Italian executive also seems more relaxed regarding Franco Colapinto. The Argentine had been surrounded by doubts previously, but his recent performances have helped improve his position within the French team.
Colapinto achieved good results in recent races and seems to have convinced Briatore with his performance. Even so, the executive’s main focus remains the possibility of Russell or Antonelli becoming available, should Mercedes move forward with a negotiation involving Verstappen.
Rumors involving the four-time world champion have been circulating for months in the Formula 1 paddock. Although there is no confirmation of concrete talks, the mere possibility of a change at Mercedes is already starting to provoke strategic movements in other teams on the grid.
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