Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore wants to be sure that one of Mercedes' current drivers is not suddenly available next year - potentially through a shock Max Verstappen switch - before he finalises his own Formula 1 team's line-up.

While Franco Colapinto is well-placed to retain his seat for 2027 off the back of recent strong performances, Briatore - Alpine's de facto team boss - said that the potential for surprise movement elsewhere meant he would be keeping his options open for now.

In a clear hint about where he sees opportunity for a shake-up in the entire driver market picture, Briatore said that what happens with Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli is a prime focus for him.

Asked by The Race about the team's driver plans for 2027, Briatore said: "We don't know what is going to happen with Mercedes.

"We don't know if Mercedes will pick up Max, or whatever. So let's see what we have in the house before we proceed."

While F1 2026 title rivals Russell and Antonelli both have clear options with Mercedes into next season, that has not stopped speculation that the manufacturer could become a home for Verstappen if he elects to move on from Red Bull but stay in F1.

Verstappen is currently pondering his future and, while he recently made it clear that he would remain in F1 if the rules change - and likely only if they do - he has drawn short of committing to that being with Red Bull.

Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf in Canada about whether he was definitely staying at Red Bull, Verstappen said: "I'm in no rush. Ideally, I'd like to stay associated with Red Bull for the rest of my life; I've always said that. But making that decision doesn't have to happen today or tomorrow."

It is understood that Verstappen's current contract with Red Bull that runs until 2028 has performance-related clauses that mean he can walk from the squad if he is not second in the drivers' championship by the summer break.

Verstappen is currently seventh in the standings, and 45 points behind second-placed Russell.

This timeline means that Briatore is likely to wait a while before finalising what Alpine does with its second seat alongside Pierre Gasly, who has a long-term contract.

Colapinto praise

While Colapinto had a troubled time with Alpine last year, failing to score a point at the 18 rounds he contested, he has made an impressive step for this season.

He has been the faster of the two Alpine drivers at the past two race weekends, finishing seventh in Miami then taking a career-best sixth in Canada most recently.

This progress is something Briatore was delighted about, especially since he has seen a change of attitude from Colapinto - who turned 27 on Wednesday.

Speaking at a media briefing that announced Alpine's new title sponsorship deal with Gucci for 2027, Briatore said: "Last year Colapinto was only criticised by everybody - and [people asked] why would I take Colapinto? Big mistake, Colapinto, this and that.

"But I believe Franco has a talent. We spend a lot of time together, and when you're talking with him, he's much more mature. Last year he was still a kid.

"There was a lot of pressure [on him], because every race you don't know if you stay in the team, if he's out, and this and that. Now he's calmed down."

Briatore said that if Colapinto remains on the trajectory he is on now then he has every chance of keeping his seat into 2027.

"Franco, honestly, I believe he has the talent to be one of the top drivers," added Briatore.

"In Canada he's done a super job. On Friday he did not do FP1 because he had a problem with the battery.

"Then he jumped in the car, qualified and got in the top 10. Stuff like this is not usual, not for a driver doing stuff like that.

"For the moment, we have Gasly and we have Colapinto. For 2027, we have Gasly because we signed with him long term, and then we see.

"I hope that Franco is doing a very good job from now until the end of the season to continue."