If there is one team that has been closely linked to Fernando Alonso‘s long career in F1, it is Renault (now Alpine). With the French team, Fernando Alonso has experienced three stages of his career, winning the world championship in the first two, in 2005 and 2006. And if there is one person closely linked to the driver from Oviedo, it is none other than Flavio Briatore, who firmly believed in the Asturian when he was just a young hopeful dreaming of success in the sport.
Fernando Alonso and Flavio Briatore
Fernando Alonso made his debut with Minardi, but it was Flavio Briatore who took a big gamble on him. The then sporting director of Renault was convinced of Fernando Alonso’s abilities. He certainly had an eye for talent, as he was also the man who took a chance on Michael Schumacher years earlier, although that gamble did not pay off. Fernando Alonso did not disappoint, and this led to a strong bond between them.
The Italian businessman did not hesitate to bring Fernando Alonso back after his first bad experience at McLaren, but this time the results did not follow and the Spanish driver ended up heading to Ferrari. During this second period, the Italian was involved in one of the darkest chapters in F1 history, when he caused an intentional accident involving Piquet at the Singapore Grand Prix so that Alonso could win, which led to his lifetime ban (which was ultimately overturned). It was proven that Fernando Alonso, who won the race, was unaware of the team boss’s plot. This did not break the friendship between the two.
Briatore’s return to Alpine
In June 2024, after the FIA lifted Briatore’s ban, he returned to what was his home with a somewhat more secondary role in the team. But his knowledge, his charisma, and, why not say it, his nerve, are giving him more power at the helm of the team. Proof of this can be seen this week, when, after a long standoff with the team, he managed to get Colapinto behind the wheel of Doohan‘s car, his goal since announcing his signing during the winter.
Briatore sounds out Fernando Alonso
Flavio Briatore has a wish in mind. He would like to spend the final stage of his F1 career with Fernando Alonso back behind the wheel of an Alpine, and he has made this known to Fernando Alonso. The idea is that if the Spanish driver ends up losing his seat at Aston Martin and feels he has the strength to continue in F1, Briatore would open the doors of the team, his home, and do whatever it takes to have him driving one of his cars.
Very remote options
But the chances of this happening seem almost impossible. In principle, Fernando Alonso will continue to compete this season and next, and it is possible that he will also continue with Aston Martin in 2027. But his contract and commitment to the British team go beyond staying with the team until he retires. Once Fernando Alonso announces his retirement, he will remain loyal to the team that has backed him so strongly in the last years of his career. It is a commitment that will be difficult to break.
Briatore’s dream is to have Fernando Alonso back at Alpine, and he has made this known to the driver. But the truth is that Fernando Alonso’s future is linked to Aston Martin beyond his career as a driver, although in the world of F1, anything can happen.