Nobody cares about the engine in the back of the car, insists Flavio Briatore as Alpine prepares to switch to Mercedes power units.

The season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the 228th event since the introduction of the hybrid formula in 2014. In that time Mercedes has won 124 races (54.4%), Honda/RBPT 64 (28.1%), Ferrari 23 (10.1%) and Renault 17 (7.5%).

Despite being one of the main driving forces behind the introduction of the hybrid formula, the French manufacturer, over the years a true innovator in things motorsport, has failed miserably. So much so that from 2026, what is essentially its own works team, will use engines supplied by a rival manufacturer.

Flavio Briatore, who oversaw title success with Benetton and Renault was brought back into the fold by Renault Groupe CEO Luca de Meo, charged with bringing success back to the team, and one of his first moves was the shock announcement to drop the French manufacturer's own engines.

"The French want to win," he tells Auto Motor und Sport. "We don't win with our engine. It's as simple as that.

"If we want to win, we have to give up the areas in which we are not competitive," he adds. "That's one less problem for us to worry about in the future. Let's concentrate on the car."

Despite successive titles with Renault, as soon as it became clear that the French manufacturer had made a major wrong turn in terms of the hybrid units the relationship with Red Bull soured rapidly, the Austrian outfit desperate to find an alternative supplier. However, with Mercedes out of the question it eventually formed a partnership with Honda following a trial season using Alpha Tauri.

Citing McLaren's title success this year, Briatore believes that most fans are unconcerned at what engine a team is using.

"McLaren becomes world champion with a Mercedes engine," he says. "How many times have you read or heard about McLaren-Mercedes becoming world champions? Never!

"Haas is Haas and not Haas-Ferrari," he adds.

As for continued speculation over the team's future and the possibility of it being sold, he says: "I don't understand all this speculation. Since I joined Renault, the same questions have always been asked. When we won the world championship title in 2005 and 2006, I was asked whether Renault wanted to stay in Formula 1.

"The truth is, I always got what I needed for the job from Renault," he continues. "They appreciate that I am careful with their money. I believe in efficiency. That's why I'm now saving money everywhere in the areas that don't make my car faster.

"I don't think about what I'll be doing in five, 10 or 20 years' time. I decide what's important now."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 28/12/2024 1:10

"Some astute observations there and I agree in principle. Saying that then leaves me to look at the McLaren set up! Are they a factory team or are they a customer team? Zac Brown has, in the past, claimed 'customer' status on occasion but I am sure that Brown uses whatever term suits his political end game. I would also like to offer up my best wishes to all for another great year of debate and comment.
"

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2. Posted by Wokingchap, 26/12/2024 16:32

"@Italian Job..... love your post. He's a criminal not only in F1, but even more outside of F1 and has a disgusting record.
As you said, "Happy New Year to all at Pitpass and Readers ( definitely excluding fb)
"

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3. Posted by Italian Job, 26/12/2024 9:38

"If Signor Briatore was to say "..the sun rises in the east and sets in the west..." I would look very carefully to make sure.
Why?
Launch control software,
missing filters in refuelling equipment,
Piquet Junior in Singapore,
and probably more.
Happy New Year to all at Pitpass and readers (but not FB!)"

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4. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 26/12/2024 2:17

"@Editor,

Cheers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you and all at pitpass."

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5. Posted by Editor, 25/12/2024 13:36

"@ Celtic Tiger

Great post"

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6. Posted by Paulinho, 25/12/2024 11:50

"I guess the switch is a step forward, but given how brilliant Flavio Briatore is at race strategy's, I'm surprised Alpine haven't won ? I thought the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix was a given. "

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7. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 25/12/2024 11:32

"His statement only holds water if one was talking about privateer teams or garagistes. Sure, its not really an issue and people wouldn't really care what Williams, McLaren, Haas, AM etc. are powered by because they never were a factory team, however, this was a factory team. A factory team should run all of its own kit. Its a sad affair for Renault and all fans of the Renault team as the egg drips from their faces while they open the back doors at Viry to accept the delivery of German engines they spent years trying to beat. Its a big deal when a factory team fails so hard they morph into a privateer. People/Fans care. Just like a Ferrari without a Ferrari engine isn't a Ferrari. And all his sophistry won't hide that fact. "

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8. Posted by Douglas C, 24/12/2024 15:51

"@Chester can you imagine a Ferrari with a Merc engine or Merc with a Honda!?
We do care! "

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9. Posted by Chester, 24/12/2024 12:38

"I care. The engine matters to me. An Alpine with a Mercedes engine? An Aston Martin with a Mercedes engine? It deflates me a little."

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Briatore justifies Mercedes switch

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