Alpine boss pulls back the curtain on why Carlos Sainz was not hired by the team for 2025

Special advisor to Alpine F1 team, Flavio Briatore, recently spoke about the French team's decision not to sign Carlos Sainz for the upcoming season. He talked about the main reason being that they didn't want to bring on the Spanish driver for the short-term, and would have preferred to sign him for a few years at least given his capabilities.

Briatore, in an interview with German publication Auto Motor und Sport, discussed Alpine's strategy as they move forward in the sport, including the decision not to bring in Sainz, who left Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. Briatore brought up the fact that they did have conversations with the driver, saying:

"I talked to Sainz. We were interested in him, but only for four years. It makes no sense to hire a driver like Carlos for one or two years. He either believes in the project, or he doesn’t. I don’t need a driver who will cost me a lot of money and is looking to go to another team when the opportunity arises."

Alpine chose to complete its driver line-up by bringing in Jack Doohan to replace the outgoing Esteban Ocon. Doohan finished third in the 2023 F2 season, and debuted in Formula 1 the following year for Alpine for the final race of the season. The Australian will drive alongside Pierre Gasly next year.

Carlos Sainz has signed with Williams F1 team on a two-year contract with an extension, and will be racing alongside Alex Albon in the upcoming season. The Spaniard has so far scored four wins, and 27 podium finishes in F1. He has a highest points finish in the standings of fifth place at the end of the 2021, 2022, and 2024 seasons.

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Flavio Briatore on why Carlos Sainz missed out on spot with top teams

Carlos Sainz on track during post-season test day at the Yas Marina Circuit - Source: Getty

After a four-year long stint at last season's runner-up Ferrari, Carlos Sainz has joined Williams, the team that finished ninth in 2024. Flavio Briatore has said that this is because of the move towards getting younger drivers into the top teams' lineups next year.

During the same interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Briatore was asked about his thoughts on the rookies joining the grid, marking the possible end for veterans to continue in the sport. Using the example of Sainz, he said:

“I think it’s time for a generational change. Sainz is a good driver. However, not a single top team picked him up when he was on the market. They all went for younger drivers. Toto Wolff went with [Kimi] Antonelli, and Christian Horner went with [Liam] Lawson."

Sainz will be on the grid next year in his first of two confirmed seasons for Williams once the season begins in Melbourne, Australia.