Flavio Briatore has confirmed that Mercedes are among several parties interested in acquiring a minority stake in the Alpine Formula 1 team.

The team’s executive advisor revealed that the German manufacturer is one of multiple contenders looking to invest in the French outfit.

This development follows a recent decision by the Renault-owned squad to abandon their own works engine programme ahead of the 2026 regulation changes.

Instead, the Enstone-based operation has already agreed a deal to utilise Mercedes power units and gearboxes from that season onwards.

Deepening ties between the manufacturers

A potential financial investment would represent a significant expansion of the relationship between the two motorsport giants.

Briatore, who returned to the grid earlier this year in an executive advisory capacity, is currently spearheading a major restructuring process.

The veteran Italian motorsport executive has been explicitly tasked with returning the struggling marque to the front of the grid.

Reports indicate that three or four separate groups are currently evaluating a buy-in alongside the Silver Arrows.

Restructuring ahead of new regulations

Alpine have endured a turbulent campaign marked by significant management changes and inconsistent track performances.

Securing strategic backing from a proven championship-winning organisation could provide vital stability and resources for the future.

Any confirmed equity deal would further solidify a technical partnership that is already set to reshape the competitive landscape in 2026.

Mercedes driver George Russell has accused Ferrari of being selfish by blocking proposed FIA changes to the Formula 1 starting procedure ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The British driver claims the Italian constructor is deliberately preventing an alteration that would resolve severe battery depletion issues on the formation lap.

A quirk in the current regulations caught out several teams during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, leaving drivers on the front half of the grid with a distinct launch disadvantage.

Protecting a competitive advantage

Despite ultimately securing a one-two finish in Melbourne alongside team-mate Kimi Antonelli, both Mercedes cars suffered sluggish getaways when the lights went out.

Conversely, the Scuderia enjoyed exceptional launches, allowing Charles Leclerc to seize the early lead while Lewis Hamilton rapidly advanced through the pack.

Closing this regulatory loophole requires a super majority agreement from the grid, which the 28-year-old insists is currently being strategically withheld.

“Unfortunately, sometimes when you’re trying to make changes for the good of the sport, if a team has a competitive edge – like Ferrari at the moment with the race starts – they wouldn’t wish to see anything changing,” Russell told Sky Sports F1.

Navigating unnecessary complications

Speaking to the written media in Shanghai, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association director labelled the resistance as slightly absurd.

“The FIA was looking to potentially adjust that, but as you can imagine some teams who were making good starts didn’t want it, which I think is just a little bit silly,” he explained.

The former Williams racer remains confident that his engineering team can successfully mitigate the battery drain now that the underlying cause is thoroughly understood.

“I don’t think their gain is coming from this issue. Now all the teams know the problem, we’ll just drive around it.”

However, the regulatory dispute adds an extra layer of political tension as the paddock prepares for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 campaign.

Lewis Hamilton has praised Ferrari’s development push as their innovative rotating rear wing, dubbed the ‘macarena’, prepares to make its competitive debut at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Scuderia caused a stir during Bahrain testing last month when they unveiled the unique aerodynamic design on their SF-26 challenger.

Instead of the traditional method where the top element flattens to reduce drag on straights, the new design rotates into an upside-down position.

Although omitted from the season-opening race in Australia, the radical component has been spotted in the pit lane ahead of this weekend’s sprint event in Shanghai.

Accelerated development timeline

The Shanghai International Circuit features a massive 1.1km straight, providing the perfect proving ground for the drag-reduction concept.

Hamilton expressed gratitude for the accelerated engineering effort that allowed the part to arrive earlier than initially planned.

“It’s great to see that the team are fighting, the team are pushing and chasing and really working overtime back at the factory to be able to bring upgrades, because that’s the name of the game.”

The seven-time world champion added that bringing rapid improvements to the track is the essential nature of modern motorsport.

Testing the radical concept

Reflecting on his previous campaign, the British driver admitted he did not experience his team’s full potential regarding in-season upgrades as resources had already shifted toward future cars.

The veteran confirmed Ferrari completed a full day of running with the new element during pre-season testing.

When asked if he could feel a tangible difference from the cockpit during its initial trials, his response was highly pragmatic.

“Unfortunately, it did the same, we just see it in the mirror.”

Despite the lack of a noticeable sensation behind the wheel, he noted that he is eager to see how the component performs under intense racing conditions this weekend.

Max Verstappen has confirmed he is in constructive talks with Formula 1 and the FIA over tweaking the 2026 regulations, alleviating fears he could walk away from the sport.

The Red Bull driver has been a vocal critic of the incoming technical changes, which mandate a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.

These persistent complaints previously cast doubt over his long-term future in motorsport’s premier category.

Commitment to Red Bull

The four-time world champion explained that while he wishes the current cars were more enjoyable to drive, he remains heavily invested in his team.

“I don’t want to leave, really,” said Verstappen.

His current contract runs until 2028, though it is widely believed to contain performance-related break clauses.

“I’ve had discussions with F1 and the FIA and we are working towards something and hopefully that will improve everything,” he added.

Balancing Outside Interests

To counter his frustrations with the new generation of machinery, the Dutchman is supplementing his schedule with endurance racing.

He recently confirmed his participation in the Nurburgring 24 Hours this May and hopes to compete at Spa and Le Mans in the near future.

“So I’m combining stuff to find other stuff I find really fun as well,” he explained.

Despite describing his current feelings as conflicting, the reigning champion remains motivated by his strong relationships within the Milton Keynes-based squad.

Pushing for Rule Refinements

The 26-year-old is now actively focused on helping the sport’s hierarchy make necessary refinements to the technical regulations.

“I hope already for next year we can make a decent improvement,” he stated.

Verstappen noted that several different options are currently being discussed behind closed doors.

The paddock will reconvene this weekend for the Chinese Grand Prix, which features the first Sprint format of the season.

Mercedes driver George Russell has criticised the defensive driving of former team-mate Lewis Hamilton as “mega dangerous” following his victory at the Australian Grand Prix.

The 28-year-old led a commanding one-two finish for the Silver Arrows ahead of rookie Kimi Antonelli at Albert Park on Sunday.

However, previously unbroadcast team radio messages have revealed the race winner’s frustration with the defensive tactics employed by the newly-formed Ferrari pairing.

High-speed defensive concerns

The controversy centres on a lap 28 incident where the recovering Mercedes driver rapidly closed in on the seven-time world champion.

As they approached the high-speed Turn 9, the British racing icon defended his position robustly to block the inside line.

“So much movement in the straight when these guys are defending. It’s mega dangerous,” stated the eventual race winner over his team radio.

Earlier in the 58-lap contest, similar frustrations were directed towards Charles Leclerc during an initial battle for the lead.

Early clashes and engine debates

The Monegasque racer reportedly forced his rival towards the inside of the track as they prepared for a manoeuvre at Turn 11.

“That was very dangerous by Leclerc, especially after what we spoke about in the briefing,” the Mercedes star reported to his race engineer.

Following their dominant display in Melbourne, the current constructors’ champions now turn their attention to the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.

The victorious driver anticipates light-hearted complaints from his former garage partner regarding the impressive performance of the new Mercedes power unit.

“I’m flying with Lewis, so I’m sure I’m going to hear ‘your engine is so good, your compression ratio is illegal’ and this and that,” he joked.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has praised Lewis Hamilton’s strong start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, while warning the squad still faces a massive development battle to catch Mercedes.

The Maranello outfit ran the reigning champions closest during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Charles Leclerc and his British team-mate finished third and fourth respectively after challenging eventual race winner George Russell in the early stages.

Rapid development key to title hopes

Adapting to the sweeping new 2026 technical regulations remains a formidable challenge up and down the grid.

Vasseur highlighted several key areas where the team must immediately find crucial performance gains:

“The result will be based on our capacity to improve quickly.”

Frederic Vasseur

The Scuderia boss believes the ultimate championship outcome will be dictated by which constructor can manufacture and deliver upgrades to the track fastest.

Hamilton settled in second season

The French engineer expressed immense satisfaction with the seven-time world champion, who is now embarking on his second campaign wearing the famous scarlet overalls.

The atmosphere within the Italian camp is notably more optimistic compared to recent challenging campaigns.

Last year, the historic franchise was forced to wait until the fifth round of the calendar just to secure a spot on the podium.

Wolff wary of Maranello threat

Attention now immediately turns to this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, which hosts the first Sprint event of the new era.

Rival team boss Toto Wolff has already acknowledged the looming threat, admitting his Mercedes outfit has a genuine fight on their hands.

“Now I prefer to start the season in a good shape than in a bad shape, but it’s still a long way to go.”

Frederic Vasseur

Formula 1 teams and drivers are preparing for an entirely different challenge at the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend as the sport’s new 2026 regulations meet the first sprint format of the season.

The second round of the campaign in Shanghai follows a divisive season-opening race in Australia.

Participants and fans are still adapting to the sweeping regulatory changes introduced for the new era.

Adding to the complexity, the Shanghai International Circuit will host the first of six alternative weekend formats this year.

Sprint format limits preparation time

Competitors will only have a single practice session before entering the intense pressure of competitive running.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur expects the upcoming event to present a stark contrast to the Melbourne opener.

“China will be a completely different story.”
“In terms of energy deployment, it’s almost the opposite to Australia.”

Contrasting circuit characteristics

Temperatures are expected to be significantly colder in Asia, complicating tyre warm-up and overall team strategy.

The layout itself is vastly different from the Albert Park circuit where Mercedes secured the opening victory.

Shanghai features heavy braking zones that will allow drivers to recharge their power unit batteries naturally.

This contrasts sharply with energy-starved circuits where the hybrid systems struggle to replenish electrical power.

Energy management remains crucial

The Chinese venue also features fewer extended straights, altering how drivers deploy their stored electrical energy throughout the lap.

After battling the Scuderia’s Charles Leclerc last weekend, Australian Grand Prix winner George Russell noted the unpredictable nature of the current racing dynamics.

With both the Silver Arrows and the Italian marque making strong starts to the campaign, the battle for supremacy remains wide open.

The entire paddock knows that early assumptions about the new ruleset could be quickly dismantled on the demanding Shanghai asphalt.

Fernando Alonso admits it would be highly optimistic to expect Aston Martin to finish the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix amid an ongoing shortage of parts and severe car vibration issues.

The veteran driver retired after just 21 laps during the season-opening race in Australia.

Team-mate Lance Stroll managed 43 laps before stopping, despite earlier warnings regarding the physical dangers of driving the car.

Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey had previously revealed that the drivers risked permanent nerve damage due to violent vibrations from the chassis.

Focusing on positives despite significant limitations

Despite the alarming start to the 2026 campaign, the Spanish racer is trying to remain upbeat about the team’s trajectory.

“We need to take the positives and move forwards. Everyone is determined to change the situation and working really hard.”

The double world champion noted that the Australian weekend provided valuable data, allowing the Silverstone-based outfit to complete basic procedures that were impossible during Bahrain testing.

When pressed on his chances of seeing the chequered flag in Shanghai this weekend, the former Ferrari star offered a characteristically blunt assessment.

“That will be optimistic but we can try. Obviously, we are still short on parts and China is only this week.”

Engine supplier Honda retains confidence

Aston Martin’s struggles come amid a major transition to becoming the exclusive factory partner for Japanese manufacturer Honda.

The power unit supplier enjoyed tremendous recent success powering Max Verstappen to multiple titles, but Newey noted that only a fraction of their original engineering staff remains on this new project.

Despite completing fewer pre-season testing laps than any other competitor on the grid, Honda’s management remains hopeful about their technical progression.

“From a Honda point of view, Australia was definitely a very important point to check the improvement of battery reliability,” said Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s trackside general manager.

With more battery stock reportedly arriving soon, the British team will hope to take further risks as they navigate this exceptionally turbulent start to the new era of Formula 1 regulations.