In a move that has taken the Formula One world by surprise, Flavio Briatore has been asked by Renault president Luca de Meo to revive the struggling Alpine team. This unexpected return sees the renowned manager, once synonymous with F1 success and scandal, step back into the spotlight to tackle Alpine’s ongoing challenges.
Reports from England confirm that Briatore has accepted the daunting task and is actively seeking to strengthen the French team through a rigorous recruitment drive.
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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.
These triumphs were mirrored by successive Constructors’ Championships, cementing Briatore’s name in F1 history.
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.
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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.
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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Recruitment and technical overhaul
One of Briatore’s main challenges is the lack of talented designers and key personnel within the team. Alpine recently poached aerodynamicist David Sanchez from Ferrari and McLaren, but the market for brilliant technical minds is highly competitive and limited. Having been away from the inner workings of F1 for some time, Briatore faces the task of navigating a landscape where top engineers and designers are closely guarded by their teams.
But Briatore is undeterred. His efforts to revive Alpine have included contacting various designers and even holding talks with Adrian Newey, a highly sought-after figure in F1 negotiations. Although a new organisational structure has yet to be finalised, the ongoing recruitment drive reflects Briatore’s commitment to building a competitive team.
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Future prospects and possible exit
The future of Briatore’s involvement with Alpine depends on the success of these efforts. If it proves impossible to assemble a competitive team by the 2026 season, there is a possibility that Briatore could step down. Known for his high standards and refusal to settle for mediocrity, Briatore’s possible departure would be in line with his principle of never travelling second class.
Flavio Briatore’s return to Formula One and Renault’s Alpine team is a dramatic and significant development in the sport. Tasked with leading Alpine out of its current difficulties, Briatore’s journey will be closely watched by fans and insiders alike, eager to see if he can replicate past successes and restore the team’s competitive edge.
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In a dramatic turn of events at the Monaco Grand Prix, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon will face repercussions following a costly first lap collision with Formula One teammate Pierre Gasly. The incident, which took place at the iconic Portier corner, has not only drawn the ire of team principal Bruno Famin, but has also resulted in a significant penalty for Ocon. This could well be the opening for former F1 driver Mick Schumacher to return to the paddock, this time driving for the Alpine team.
The collision, which sent Ocon’s car into the air and ended his race prematurely, was deemed by the stewards to be the result of an overly ambitious overtaking attempt. As a result, Ocon was handed a 10-second penalty, which translates into a five-place grid drop for the upcoming race in Canada. The stewards’ statement was…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
I doubt Flavio would return to a team role nearly 15 years after he last officially worked in F1, but never say never, as stranger things have happened.