Flavio Briatore Firmly Ends All Questions About Mick Schumacher

Flavio Briatore refused to comment on speculation about Mick Schumacher’s future with Alpine during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.

The Italian, who recently stepped in as Alpine’s interim team boss after Oliver Oakes resigned, was questioned by media about whether Schumacher might return to Formula 1 with the Enstone-based team.

Briatore, serving as executive advisor since last year, has played a key role in Alpine’s management, especially in the area of driver selections following Oakes’ departure.

Alpine’s hunt for a strong partner to race alongside Pierre Gasly has been a central issue this season.

Early in the year, Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan after only six rounds.

Colapinto, however, has not delivered standout results so far. He struggled after a crash in Imola qualifying and put in quiet performances at both Monaco and Spain that didn’t match Gasly’s pace.

This has triggered ongoing speculation about further changes to Alpine’s driver line up after the Austrian Grand Prix, only two rounds away.

The team previously announced that Colapinto would get five races to prove his worth, with the last being at the Red Bull Ring.

Still, Briatore insisted after the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix that the young Argentine would be given as much time as needed, setting clear targets: be quick, score points, and avoid crashes.

Colapinto has so far failed to meet expectations on two of those fronts, casting doubt on his longer-term prospects with the team.

Other names have surfaced as possible candidates, including reserve driver Paul Aron and Sergio Perez, while Jack Doohan’s name remains in the frame.

Media attention has also turned towards Mick Schumacher, who lost his Haas seat to Nico Hulkenberg at the end of 2022 and has since worked as a Mercedes reserve alongside racing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.

Though Schumacher does not appear to be a leading choice for an Audi or Cadillac seat in 2025, he is eager to return to F1 competition and could enter consideration at Alpine if changes occur mid-season or over the winter.

When pressed about Schumacher potentially joining Alpine, Briatore dismissed the question, saying, “I’m not sure why we’re talking about Schumacher now. We are here in 2025. I don’t understand. What you want to know?”

Christian Horner, also in the press conference, tried to clarify but Briatore, sounding frustrated, replied sarcastically and repeated his position that it wasn’t the right time to discuss Schumacher.

He ultimately shut down the topic: “I don’t want to talk about that.” Horner’s involvement in such press conferences has often drawn attention to the dynamics behind team decisions (horner-roberg-verstappen-claim).

As Alpine’s driver situation remains uncertain, speculation is sure to continue in the paddock.

For now, the team’s focus appears to be on giving Colapinto every chance to secure his spot, while other potential moves—including Mick Schumacher’s possible F1 return—remain unanswered.

The next races will likely shape the driver line up for 2025 and put more pressure on everyone competing for the coveted Alpine seat, much like the intense competition seen with other teams preparing for 2025 (piastri-mclaren-record).

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.