Flavio Briatore makes his return to Formula 1 scene.
In the industry of Formula 1, the name Flavio Briatore continues to evoke tales of yore. The charismatic figure, who previously catapulted Michael Schumacher to his inaugural World Championship triumphs in 1994 and 1995, has found himself the center of attention yet again. During a recent press conference prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, Briatore, the de facto team principal of the Alpine Formula 1 team, commented on the ongoing discussions surrounding Mick Schumacher's involvement with the team.
When asked about the possibility of Mick Schumacher joining Alpine, Briatore responded with a retort: "We have 2025, so I'm not sure why we're talking about Schumacher now. We have other questions to address." Despite this dismissive statement, he soon clarified: "Yes, surely," implying that while Schumacher's name may have come up, no deals have been finalized. Later, however, Briatore expressed his reluctance to discuss the matter further, stating, "I don't want to talk about it."
Mick Schumacher's name has been circulating as a potential addition to the Alpine team, given his association with the team's endurance division since leaving Haas in 2022. However, Flavio Briatore, renowned for his vibrant lifestyle and controversial antics, proved to be an engaging presence at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, providing witty and candid insights into the world of Formula 1.
Regarding the Monaco Grand Prix held recently, Briatore shared his thoughts: "The race in Monaco was more like a Formula 1 exhibition. All the sponsors and the Formula 1 supporters who usually attend these events were present." Reflecting on Formula 1's presence in the United States in the past, Briatore commented, "Back then, we had horses competing next to us, and many people who we thought would be interested in Formula 1 opted for the horse races instead."
Christian Horner, the British team principal of Red Bull, expressed his enthusiasm for Briatore's return, stating, "Flavio's presence has made these press conferences far more refreshing. They were quite dull before he returned." Briatore, ever the colorful character, took the compliment in stride, continuing to entertain the press room with his charming demeanor.
As of the latest reports, Briatore has not made any substantive comments regarding Mick Schumacher's potential involvement with Alpine beyond expressing the need to assess options for the current season[1]. His focus remains firmly on rejuvenating Alpine's struggling performance, targeting victories by 2026 and a world championship challenge by 2027[2][4][5][1].
The sports-analysis surrounding Mick Schumacher's potential involvement with the Alpine Formula 1 team continues to garner attention, as Flavio Briatore, the team's de facto principal, has been both elusive and cryptic about the matter. During a press conference, when asked about Schumacher, Briatore stated, "We have 2025, so I'm not sure why we're talking about Schumacher now. We have other questions to address," suggesting that the sports discourse surrounding Schumacher's future does not align with Alpine's immediate plans.
