Alpine are in the market for at least one new driver ahead of the 2025 season. Esteban Ocon is poised to leave the team after his collision with Pierre Gasly at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Ocon has caused the team too many ‘headaches’ to earn a new contract, with his current deal due to expire at the end of the year. Besides, he may want out anyway after seeing the team slip the foot of F1’s midfield amid off-track upheaval.
Gasly is more likely to stay if Ocon leaves given the evident tension between the two. But his future is also uncertain amid links with teams like Haas.
Alpine have already identified plenty of options. They could keep it simple and promote from within – reserve driver Jack Doohan is a contender.
They’re also looking at drivers in rival teams. Valtteri Bottas has been mentioned, as has Sauber teammate Zhou Guanyu.
Both drivers are at risk of losing their seats after new owners Audi signed Nico Hulkenberg. Alpine may struggle to attract sought-after talent given their current predicament, but they could potentially offer both of the Sauber drivers a lifeline.
Guenther Steiner advises Alpine against signing Mick Schumacher
Another driver who’s very much in the Alpine conversation is Mick Schumacher. The 25-year-old could take advantage of his existing relationship with the brand as he represents them in the World Endurance Championship.
CEO Luca de Meo is ‘positive’ about the idea of signing him, while Famin has been impressed with his WEC showings. He said in Monaco it would be a ‘mistake’ not to consider him.
Compatriot Timo Glock believes he has a ‘great’ chance of capitalising on the current ‘unrest’ at the team. Schumacher is trying to find his way back onto the grid after Haas let him go at the end of 2022.
One figure who may have had a significant say in that decision is former team principal Guenther Steiner. And speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner urged Alpine to aim higher.
Asked if he would consider re-signing Schumacher if he was Alpine boss, Steiner replied: “In the moment not, no. I think, as I said, you need to get the best driver you know is out of there.
“It’s one of these things. I think people were just showing that they are very good, and as a works team you need to do the best you can.”
Why Flavio Briatore arrival at Alpine could be a ‘turning point’ for Schumacher
While Steiner is clearly unconvinced about Schumacher, he could find a timely ally in Flavio Briatore. The controversial F1 veteran has returned to Enstone in an advisory role.
Briatore worked with Schumacher’s legendary father Michael during the 1990s. He will have fond memories of their spell at Benetton, which delivered two world titles.
And now a report suggests that his ‘special’ relationship with the family could count in Mick’s favour. It may be the ‘turning point’ he’s been waiting for in his pursuit of an F1 comeback.
Schumacher scored 12 points during his time at Haas, all of them during the 2022 season. His best result was P6 at the Austrian GP, but teammate Kevin Magnussen more than doubled his overall tally with 25.
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