Flavio Briatore Returns as Alpine Advisor Amid Performance Struggles and Internal Turmoil

Flavio Briatore, a controversial figure in Formula 1 due to his involvement in the 2008 'Crashgate' scandal, has been appointed as the executive advisor for Alpine F1 Team. This marks his return to the sport 14 years after being dismissed and initially banned for life by the FIA. Briatore's role will involve scouting top talents, providing insights on the driver market, and advising on strategic matters within the team. The appointment comes at a time when Alpine is struggling, with significant internal turmoil and poor performance in the constructors' standings. Briatore's experience, particularly his past successes with Benetton and Renault, is seen as crucial in helping Alpine navigate its current challenges and future strategy, including decisions regarding power unit production ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.