Alpine F1 Team

Alpine F1 Team — Enstone’s Renaissance Amid Change (2025)

1. Origins & Evolution

Alpine’s current incarnation is deeply rooted in the storied history of Team Enstone, which began as Toleman in 1981 and later became Benetton, then Renault, and ultimately Alpine in 2021. It continues Renault’s long-standing motorsport presence, with chassis development based in Enstone, UK, and engines produced until 2025 in Viry‑Châtillon, France. (Wikipedia)

2. Ownership & Strategy

The team is owned by Groupe Renault, managing operations under the Alpine banner. Notably, a 24% stake was acquired by a celebrity investor consortium (including Ryan Reynolds, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Rij McIlroy) in 2023 — bringing fresh capital and global reach to the team. (The Guardian)

3. Leadership: Rebooting for 2025

• Team Principal: Oliver Oakes stepped into the role mid-2024, replacing Bruno Famin — bringing renewed structure and hunger. (Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website)

• Advisory Force: Flavio Briatore, veteran Renault‑era boss, returned as an executive advisor, adding strategic weight. (Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website)

• Operational Leadership Upgrade: Steve Nielsen joins in September 2025 as Managing Director to oversee daily operations at Enstone — a statement-level hire signaling serious intent. (The Race)

4. 2025 Car & Engine

• The 2025 challenger is the A525, a thoughtful evolution of the A524, fine-tuning weaknesses in suspension, aerodynamics, and chassis stability. (RaceFans)

• It’s Alpine’s final season as a works team with Renault engines; from 2026, they’ll switch to Mercedes power units and become a customer team. (Wikipedia)

• The new livery—splitting between signature BWT pink and Alpine blue—was unveiled at the F1 75 launch in London, now featuring sponsors like Eni and Mercado Libre. (eni.com)

5. Driver Line-Up & Reserve Strategy

• Pierre Gasly retains his race seat with a multi-year contract.

• Jack Doohan steps up to full-time racer status for 2025, donning #7 and backed by Alpine Academy promises. (Wikipedia, Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website)

• Franco Colapinto is on deck as a reserve driver—with a possibly explosive contract clause that could see him rotating into the race seat mid-season if Doohan underdelivers. (Talksport)

6. 2025 Season Reality: Rebuild & Foundation

• Alpine’s 2024 rebound ended the season P6 with a surprise double podium in Brazil — a springboard for 2025 growth. (Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website)

• In early 2025, they stumbled—registering zero points through the first three Grands Prix. Doohan’s rough debut piled up license penalties and led to Colapinto stepping in for a “rotating seat” strategy. (Wikipedia)

7. Strengths & Challenges

Strengths:

• A stable ownership structure with fresh investment.

• Leadership depth with Oakes, Nielsen, and Briatore steering key areas.

• Renewed focus and a development pipeline readying for 2026.

Challenges:

• The A525 isn’t built for victory—it’s a bridge.

• Engine switch looms in 2026; ensuring a smooth transition is critical.

• Driver volatility: Doohan's inconsistent start and potential seat swap mid-season add pressure.

8. My No-Holds-Barred Take

Alpine is mid-reboot, staking everything on smart leadership and long-term infrastructure. 2025 isn’t about flash—it's about survivability and culture-building. If Nielsen and Oakes can turn the ship steady while avoiding mid-season collapse, Alpine could be the sleeper resurgence of 2026. But if instability continues now, the 2026 rebirth may miss ignition.

Snapshot – Alpine F1 Team (2025)