The era of characters like Flavio Briatore in leading roles is over, according to former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher. Speaking to German Bild, the now-pundit has backed Christian Horner to move to Alpine as he argues that the championship calls for more technically skilled leaders.
“I think the time of figures like Flavio is over,” he said. “You need technically skilled people at the top, someone like Horner.
“Flavio could then help as an organiser and networker, as a face to the outside world.”
These comments come as speculation rises around what Horner’s next move will be following his surprise exit from Red Bull Racing in July after 20 years leading the team. Red Bull announced that Horner would be removed from his role as CEO and team principal, replacing him with Laurent Mekies from sister team Racing Bulls.
While there has been no official reason given for this sudden change, it’s believed that the team’s sudden loss of dominance and a slew of high-profile exits have contributed to this decision. Trailing McLaren in the constructors’ standings by 365 points, the Milton Keynes outfit sits in a disappointing fourth.
Briatore returned to F1 in 2024 as Alpine’s executive adviser, 15 years after his controversial exit from the series after 2008’s Crashgate scandal. He was later left running the French team as team principal Oliver Oakes resigned out of the blue in May just days before it was revealed his brother, William Oakes, would stand trial over criminal cash charges.
He will stand trial in April 2027.
Flavio Briatore, Executive Advisor of Alpine F1 talks with a teammate.
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
As of September, Steve Nielsen has been appointed as managing director of Alpine, but Briatore will still hold the reins despite his controversial past. It is rumoured that Horner could join the team with Alpine being one of several potential destinations for the Briton. His experience would serve the Enstone outfit well, especially as it will oversee substantial changes going into 2026.
“Does he want a little bit of time away? He’s been in the pressure cooker of F1 for 20 years at the forefront,” Karun Chandhok said on Sky Sports F1.
“He’s never missed a race, famously. We’ve heard other team bosses, Zak Brown and Toto Wolff, occasionally not going to a race.
“Christian has not missed a race since he has been in charge of Red Bull at the first race in 2005. It’s been a long time, so perhaps he wants a bit of time out.”
Further discussing a potential move to Alpine, he continued:
“They’ve hired Steve Nielsen as a managing director. Christian’s old friend, Flavio Briatore, is in charge as an executive consultant.
“But that could be a future destination for Christian Horner – if he does choose, of course, to carry on in the pressure cooker of Formula 1.”
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