Alpine in talks with Sainz, test Schumacher and consider Doohan

Like it or not, Formula 1 Super Cheat Flavio Briatore has barely returned to the paddock and he’s already making waves that impact the 2025 Silly season, with Carlos Sainz, rejected by Ferrari, becoming a preferred target for Alpine.

His past aside, Briatore’s role is to save the rapidly sinking ship that is the Renault-owned Alpine team. He knows well the operation he launched for them and with which he won F1 titles. Before his shenanigans get the better of him. But apparently the F1 crime of Crashgate is forgotten, all water under the paddock deck.

The 74-year-old Italian is focused on the task at hand, reviving Alpine’s F1 fortunes as executive advisor to Renault big boss Luca de Meo. And Sainz could be part of their recovery plan.

The Spanish media are interested in the Sainz-Alpine connection with Marca reporting from Barcelona: “A plot twist in recent hours. Just three days after Flavio Briatore officially returned to the F1 paddock, as Alpine’s executive advisor, he has Carlos Sainz on his driver wishlist to replace Esteban Ocon.

“Williams and Audi are not alone in wanting to take the lead with Sainz, who attracted strong last-minute interest from Briatore. On Friday, Luca de Meo seemed very excited about the prospect of signing the Spaniard.

Adding further credence to this possibility, the report adds: “On Sunday in Barcelona, ​​Flavio and de Meo were seen in the paddock chatting informally with Carlos Sainz Sr. in the team’s hospitality facility. This could result in the No.55 sharing a team with Pierre Gasly, who still does not have a contract extension.

Sainz on Sauber aka Audi, Williams and now Alpine wishlist too

Sainz previously drove for Renault in F1 when he joined Toro Rosso for the final four races of the 2017 season. And spent 2018 there before moving to McLaren at the end of that season. Carlos knows Vichy and Enstone.

A “big announcement” was expected from Williams during the weekend in Spain. Many believe it was to announce Carlos Sainz as Alex Albon’s teammate for 2025. But that was cut short. perhaps because of the new alpine factor.

While Sainz appears to be Plan-A, Alpine appears to be working on its Plan-B or Plan-C options. They have F1 reserve Jack Doohan waiting in the wings and ready to step onto the F1 grid, and Haas has sidelined Mick Schumacher. not writing a return to the elite. The German drives for the Alpine WEC Hypercar team.

Mick, son of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, will test a 2022-spec Alpine for the first time at Paul Ricard, the French circuit, ahead of the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone.

Alpine said in a statement: “As part of our TPC (previous car testing) programme, we will test reserve driver Jack Doohan, in line with his 2024 schedule, as well as Mick Schumacher as part of his Alpine Endurance project. next week at Circuit Paul Ricard. We look forward to continuing to use our race support team and the A522 Formula 1 car during our TPC program. »

While both youngsters are part of the Alpine Academy, the arrival of Sainz, 20, on the candidate list brings experience that neither youngster has.

A decision is expected to be made soon as time runs out to decide the future of the Spanish drivers, this week according to Marca. Time will tell what Flavio decides to advise De Meo.

Big question: who for Alpine F1 Team: Carlos Sainz, Mich Schumacher or Jack Doohan?

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