Red Bull is 'against' Briatore's proposal for a budget cap.

      "The driver’s salary should be included in the budget cap."

      Flavio Briatore believes that Formula 1 ought to factor in driver salaries within the budget cap. The 75-year-old Italian, who has returned to the sport as Alpine’s executive advisor after a lengthy absence and even a ban, agrees that capping team expenditures is a positive move. However, Briatore emphasized, "I also think that the driver’s salary should be part of it—not just what we currently have."

      According to the well-informed De Telegraaf newspaper, Red Bull—who pay Max Verstappen tens of millions of dollars annually—strongly opposes Briatore’s proposal. Furthermore, Briatore acknowledged that if given the choice, he would sign "two Verstappens" for Alpine, as he has two cars to fill.

      With a more equitable approach to driver salary expenditure, Briatore believes Alpine could advance to the front of the grid even more quickly than he anticipates. "I assured (Renault CEO) Luca (de Meo) that in two to three years, the team would be on the podium or very close," he stated in an interview with the New York Times.

      Nevertheless, he is confident that Alpine can eventually surpass all existing teams and become the world champion. "Why not? Absolutely," the flamboyant Italian asserted. "If you observe the teams ahead of us, they aren’t extraordinary. They’re simply people—more dedicated, less distracted.

      "It hasn’t been an easy situation for this team," Briatore added. "Hiring and firing personnel, a lack of order, no direction—everyone was in charge, yet no one truly was. We lost many talented individuals, but now, bit by bit, they are returning to us."