Last Updated on May 30 2024, 7:05 pm

The Formula One world is abuzz with speculation about a possible comeback for Flavio Briatore. The 74-year-old former Renault team principal could be on the verge of a return, sparking intense interest and curiosity among fans and analysts alike.

Renault’s F1 team, now known as Alpine, has responded to these rumours by leaving the door open for Briatore’s return, although the details remain unclear. It is rumoured that Renault boss Luca de Meo has asked Flavio Briatore to take charge of the ailing Alpine team, surprising the F1 world. This unexpected return sees the famous executive, once a byword for F1 success and scandals, return to the limelight to tackle the current problems facing Alpine.

 

 

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Several media outlets, including Corriere della Sera and L’Equipe, have reported that Renault CEO Luca De Meo is keen to bring Briatore back into the fold.

Reports suggest that Briatore has already contacted Adrian Newey, the renowned car designer who recently parted company with Red Bull Racing, to discuss the possibility of working together on the Alpine 2026 car. This move underlines the seriousness of Alpine’s intentions to rejuvenate its performance and competitiveness.

This potential return of Briatore would not be in the capacity of a traditional team principal, but rather in a more influential advisory role. Briatore would potentially act as a “supervisor” with significant decision-making powers, focusing on team development, personnel decisions and engine factory operations.

 

 

Special supervisory role for Renault Alpine

Briatore’s new role is described as that of a special supervisor, one that does not require him to be constantly involved in on-track activities. His return marks a significant reunion with Renault, the team with whom he won two Drivers’ World Championships with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.

Before this, when the Renault team was known as Benneton, Briatore lead the Formula 1 team to two years of success bringing Michael Schumacher his first two Formula 1 drivers’ titles.

However, his tenure was also marked by the infamous 2008 Singapore Grand Prix scandal, in which Nelson Piquet Jr’s crash was allegedly staged to help Alonso win the race. The controversy led to Briatore’s expulsion from the sport, although he was later reinstated, and eventually led to his departure from F1 in 2009.

 

 

 

 

Briatore’s early career and entry into F1

Flavio Briatore is a name that resonates strongly in the world of Formula One, not only for his keen business acumen and management skills, but also for the controversy that has occasionally overshadowed his achievements. 

Briatore’s early career was marked by ventures in various industries, including stints as a ski instructor and restaurant manager. He entered the world of business through connections with Luciano Benetton, founder of the Benetton clothing brand. It was through Benetton that Briatore was introduced to Formula 1, a connection that would shape his future in motorsport.

In 1988, Briatore was appointed commercial director of the Benetton Formula One team. His lack of previous motorsport experience did not deter him, but rather allowed him to approach the sport with a fresh perspective. He quickly rose through the ranks to become the team’s Managing Director in 1989. His first major move was to lure technical director John Barnard away from Ferrari, a decision that underlined his talent for identifying and acquiring talent.

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Transforming Benetton into a winning team

Under Briatore’s leadership, Benetton underwent a transformation. He realised that success in F1 required more than just a fast car; it required a cohesive team, strategic thinking and the best drivers. In 1991, he recruited the young Michael Schumacher, who would go on to become one of the greatest drivers in the history of the sport. Schumacher’s arrival marked the beginning of a new era for Benetton.

Briatore’s ability to build a winning team was demonstrated in the 1994 season when Benetton won its first Drivers’ Championship with Schumacher at the wheel. The following year, Benetton secured both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, cementing Briatore’s reputation as a master team principal.

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Transition to Renault and continued success

In 1997, Renault acquired Benetton and Briatore moved to run the Renault F1 team. His tenure at Renault mirrored his previous success at Benetton. He continued to focus on building a strong team and making strategic driver choices. One of his most important moves was to sign Fernando Alonso, a young Spanish driver with immense potential.

Under Briatore’s leadership, Renault won back-to-back Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in 2005 and 2006 with Alonso at the wheel. These victories underlined Briatore’s talent for identifying and nurturing world-class driving talent and his ability to build a team capable of competing at the highest level.

 

 

 

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The Crashgate scandal

Despite his success, Briatore’s career in F1 was not without controversy. The most significant and damaging of these was the Crashgate scandal of 2008. During the Singapore Grand Prix, Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed his car, bringing out the safety car and giving his team-mate Alonso a strategic advantage that ultimately led to victory.

The scandal came to light in 2009 and led to an FIA investigation. Briatore and Renault’s chief technical officer, Pat Symonds, were found guilty of conspiring to fix the race. The consequences were severe: Briatore was banned from FIA sanctioned events indefinitely, effectively ending his F1 career.

Renault were also banned for an indefinite period.

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Enduring links and new challenges

Despite his departure, Briatore never completely cut his ties with the world of Formula One. He maintained close relationships with key figures in the sport, including his long-standing friendship with Bernie Ecclestone as well as remaining as Fernando Alonso’s manager. This enduring passion for motorsport, coupled with the lure of returning to a competitive environment, led him to take on the daunting task of rejuvenating Alpine.

Renault rebranded its F1 team as Alpine in 2021 to promote its road car division. However, the team has struggled considerably. After a single victory in 2021 with Esteban Ocon in Hungary and a respectable fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022, assisted by Alonso, Ocon’s team mate at the time, their performance has since declined.

In 2023, they dropped to sixth place and have scored just two points in the current season, which has been marred by internal conflicts between drivers Pierre Gasly and Ocon.

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Alpine’s reacts to the rumours

In response to the swirling rumours, Alpine has issued a statement that neither confirms nor denies Briatore’s possible involvement. The French team stressed that they are constantly seeking expert advice to improve their performance:

“As a team, we are in contact with many experts in the sport in order to improve our performance. We consider all possible inputs and rely on the advice of experts who have already been successful,” said Alpine. Asked specifically about Briatore, they added: “But we will not talk about individuals.”

This diplomatic stance keeps the speculation alive, especially given De Meo’s current dissatisfaction with Alpine’s performance. The team have scored just two World Championship points this season, leaving them second to last in the constructors’ championship.

The team’s struggles have added fuel to the rumours, with Briatore’s historic success with Renault making him a prime candidate to turn their fortunes around.

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The road ahead for Alpine

Alpine’s desire to recapture past glories is evident in their willingness to consider radical changes. The team’s current performance issues necessitate a strategic overhaul, and bringing in a seasoned veteran like Briatore could provide the leadership and expertise needed to navigate these challenging times.

While the specifics of Briatore’s potential role remain speculative, his involvement would likely be geared towards providing strategic oversight and ensuring that the team utilises the best possible resources and talent. His connections within the sport, coupled with his track record, make him an attractive candidate to help Alpine return to the upper echelons of F1.

The possibility of Flavio Briatore returning to F1 as part of the Alpine team has generated a great deal of excitement and speculation. Alpine’s cautious response to the rumours, coupled with their current performance challenges, suggests that a major shake-up could be on the horizon.

Whether Briatore will indeed take a supervisory role and steer the team back to success remains to be seen, but his potential involvement undoubtedly adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative. As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Alpine to see how they navigate this critical juncture in their history.

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