that Carlos Sainz is the new Fernando Alonso
All said and almost done. A week ago, during the Austrian Grand Prix, Flavio Briatore He made his debut as the new executive adviser of the Alpine team, making a clear statement: “It is incredible that Carlos Sainz is still available, we all want him in the team and we will do everything possible.” This Friday, the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport published that “Spanish Ferrari “He is ready to sign a contract with the French team until 2026.”
If the signing is confirmed, Sainz will join the French team in January 2025, but the Italian sports newspaper is referring to 2026 because that is the horizon the French team is setting to make a leap in performance. “In 2026 we will be winning races, Alpine “He will be on the podium,” says Briatore. “What I don’t know is how much we can do. We have a lot of shortcomings this year, we are remaking the whole team.”
Briatore’s dream would be to repeat with Carlos Sainz his successful experience with another Spaniard, Fernando AlonsoIn 2002, the Italian, then director of Renault, hired a promising young player who became world champion three years later. Formula 1Before parting ways, Alonso and Briatore celebrated a second world title in 2006.
New Formula 1 regulations come into force in two years and Alpine is looking to change its existing engines. Renault German mechanics Mercedes. And they want to have two reliable pilots.
The dismissal of the scandalous Esteban OconThe French team confirmed one of the two places, that is Pierre GaslyAnd he did not spare his preferences and praise for the Madrid native.
Gasly’s endorsement
“I am clear: I want the fastest rider to remain in the paddock. Carlos is clearly the rider with the most value at the moment, the most competitive, the most experienced… He comes from Ferrari And Mclaren“So I think we would make a great duo,” the Frenchman said at the Silverstone headquarters on Thursday. British Grand Prix which is celebrated on weekends.
“We have Jack Doohan already Mick Schumacher “They are also very good drivers and know the team… There are only good options, but Carlos is clearly the best one for us,” Gasly added.
Of course, it is better to have his still partner, not his friend Ocon. The tension between the two French drivers has been evident for some time now. This season, without going any further, their cars have touched each other in MiamiAnd in Monaco Ocon’s more than risky attempt at overtaking on the first lap led to a spectacular crash between the two.