The Italian entrepreneur Flavio Briatore, in the interview with Motorsport magazine, admitted to trying to bring the pilot Carlos Sainz in the stable Alpine. It seems in fact that the French team tried to secure the Madrid driver for the 2025 season, but the negotiation was put on the back burner in favor of a competitive car.
Sainz-Alpine summer rumour, interview requested by Briatore
During the summer break, rumours of a rapprochement between Carlos Sainz, then still without a contract after being fired from Ferrari, and the team Alpine they had broken the monotony and added more questions about the fate of the Spaniard.
THEex Ferrari driver he then chose to marry the project Williams with James Vowles, leaving behind any rumours. Returning to the subject is Falvio Briatore, executive consultant of the Enstone-based team.
«There is no disappointment for not having managed to get Sainz. Carlos was an opportunity for us, but it was too early. Before even talking about drivers, we must first make sure we have a competitive car."
«If the single-seater doesn't work, then it makes no difference who you put behind the wheel. First of all we have to put things back in order with Oliver Oakes [new TP, ed.] and give new motivation to the Alpine environment.»
Jack Doohan replaces Sainz idea
This is how, thanks to the entrepreneur who has been the face of Renault for years, we have confirmation that the rumour of Carlos Sainz's move to Alpine was well-founded. Flavio Briatore then chose the promotion of jack doohan, son of Mick Doohan and who raced in the lower categories with the Alpine-Renault badge.
Briatore himself, however, does not exclude a future courtship of Carlos Sainz, considering him an excellent driver.
"A year ago, Verstappen won all the races, while now there are other competitive cars and other young people who win. I don't want to spend millions on a driver because for now it wouldn't make any difference to us. And then we are happy with Gasly and with our young driver. But if Carlos were to want to come to us in 2026, we will be there."
