Flavio Briatore officially returned to Formula 1 ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. The struggling Alpine team have appointed him as an executive advisor.
Briatore started out in F1 in the late 1980s and 1990s, serving as the team principal for Benetton. He brought Michael Schumacher to the team and helped deliver his first two world titles in 1994 and 1995.
After that relationship ended, Briatore joined Renault in another management role. Once again, he gave one of the sport’s top young drivers the chance to win back-to-back championships, this time Fernando Alonso.
Alonso took the title in 2005 and 2006, fending off competition from Briatore’s former driver Schumacher in the process. The Spaniard left for McLaren ahead of the 2007 campaign but was back within a year after a tumultuous campaign alongside Lewis Hamilton.
However, in 2009, Briatore received a lifetime ban from F1 for his role in the ‘Crashgate’ scandal at the previous season’s Singapore Grand Prix. France’s high court later overturned this decision.
The 74-year-old hadn’t worked for a team since, instead representing Alonso as his manager. But now Renault CEO Luca de Meo has turned to him to try and save an Alpine team that has only scored five points in 2024.
Damon Hill questions Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur reaction to Flavio Briatore return
Speaking on Sky Sports F1 on Friday, 1996 world champion Damon Hill offered his reaction to the Briatore announcement. He simply can’t understand the logic behind the ‘baffling’ move.
While it’s possible that Briatore will give his troops ‘confidence’, it’s also unlikely that he’ll be a long-term appointment. After all, it’s been 35 years since he took up his first position in the sport.
Hill also expressed his dismay at comments from rival team bosses in Friday’s press conference (via F1). Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said his ability to ‘simplify things and apply common sense’ will ‘benefit’ Alpine, while Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur called it ‘a step forward’ for the Enstone outfit.
Hill said: “It’s extraordinary. I just don’t get it. It’s baffling to me. I’m very disappointed listening to the team principals’ meeting and they’re all saying ‘why are you so surprised?'[…]
“What is he going to bring? It’s opaque to me. Is this going forward? He’s not young. That’s not to say that he shouldn’t be there. I’m sure he’s got lots of interesting ideas.
“Perhaps he can encourage or give confidence to the team to make decisions that are a little bit braver then they would otherwise do.”
What was the ‘Crashgate’ scandal?
When Fernando Alonso returned to Renault in 2008, they weren’t able to furnish him with a title-winning car. He ended up finishing fifth in the championship that year, 37 points behind the triumphant Hamilton.
However, he was at least able to win two Grands Prix in Singapore and Japan. When teammate Nelson Piquet Jr crashed out of the race in Marina Bay and triggered a safety car, Alonso took full advantage.
But this was no mistake from Piquet Jr. As it turned out, the team had instructed him to cause a safety car on purpose, paving the way for the victory.
The Brazilian revealed this to the FIA in 2009 after Renault sacked him, on condition of anonymity. This was what initially led to Briatore’s lifetime ban.
It also explains why his comeback is seen as so controversial. But De Meo is clearly desperate to turn around his operation amid talk that he’s considering external engine supply deals.
Briatore may also advise the team on their driver search. Esteban Ocon is leaving at the end of the season and Pierre Gasly is out of contract.
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