Briatore Eyes Mercedes Driver As Verstappen Transfer Speculation Grows

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore has refused to rule out a scenario where Mercedes sign four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen.
Briatore hinted that Alpine could swoop to sign a Mercedes driver should the Silver Arrows move for Verstappen and reshuffle their lineup as a result.
Mercedes currently have Kimi Antonelli and George Russell on their books, with both drivers holding contracts through to the end of 2026.
Despite Toto Wolff expressing satisfaction with his current duo, the possibility of Verstappen joining Mercedes remains a widely discussed topic in the paddock.
Reports have suggested Verstappen’s Red Bull contract, which runs until 2028, contains a clause allowing him to leave during the summer break if he is not within the top two of the championship standings.
Verstappen currently sits seventh in the drivers’ championship, meaning that potential exit clause could come into play.
At Alpine, Briatore works alongside Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, the latter of whom recently achieved his best finish of sixth place at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Briatore told The Race: “We don’t know what is going to happen with Mercedes. We don’t know if Mercedes will pick up Max, or whatever. So let’s see what we have in the house before we proceed.”
The Italian has been impressed by Colapinto’s recent improvement, stating: “Franco, honestly, I believe he has the talent to be one of the top drivers.”
Briatore highlighted Colapinto’s Canada performance specifically, saying: “In Canada he’s done a super job. On Friday he did not do FP1 because he had a problem with the battery.”
He continued: “Then he jumped in the car, qualified and got in the top 10. Stuff like this is not usual, not for a driver doing stuff like that.”
Regarding the 2027 lineup, Briatore confirmed Gasly’s future is already secured, adding: “For 2027, we have Gasly because we signed with him long term, and then we see.”
Briatore made clear that Colapinto still has work to do, saying: “I hope that Franco is doing a very good job from now until the end of the season to continue.”
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