Briatore 'not happy at all' with Alpine's 'weak' Australian GP performance

Alpine's new executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, has publicly criticized the team's "weak" performance at the Australian Grand Prix, despite Pierre Gasly scoring the team's first point of the season. Briatore outlined a goal of fighting in the midfield (P6-P8 range) this year and confirmed ongoing negotiations with Mercedes, among others, for a potential stake in the team.

Why it matters:

Briatore's blunt assessment underscores the immense pressure on Alpine to climb from the back of the grid after a dismal 2023 season. His public comments and ambitious targets signal a new, no-excuses leadership style aimed at instilling a winning mentality. The potential investment from a powerhouse like Mercedes could provide crucial financial and technical resources for this rebuild.

The details:

• Harsh Melbourne Verdict: Briatore called the team's overall Australian GP performance "very weak," attributing it to a combination of factors and a known major problem with the car that needs a quick fix.
• A Modest Bright Spot: He acknowledged Pierre Gasly's P10 finish as the team's first championship point in a long time, but framed it as a small consolation in an otherwise poor weekend.
• Clear 2024 Target: Using his fellow team bosses on the press conference panel as benchmarks, Briatore stated Alpine's goal is to be "in front of" Sauber/Audi and "close to" VCARB/Racing Bulls, aiming for the P6 to P8 range in the constructors' championship.
• Confirmation of Mercedes Talks: Briatore confirmed that Mercedes (the manufacturer, not Toto Wolff personally) is one of "three or four potential buyers" in negotiations to purchase the 24% stake in Alpine currently held by Otro Capital.

What's next:

Alpine's immediate focus is on solving the car's core performance issue, with upgrades expected in the coming races to try and meet Briatore's midfield target. The off-track story will be the progression of the investment talks, with a deal involving Mercedes being a significant development to watch for its potential long-term implications on the team's competitiveness and the F1 power structure.