Flavio Briatore is back in the Formula One world, and this time, he’s been tasked by Renault president Luca de Meo to turn around the struggling Alpine team. Known for his past F1 successes and controversies, Briatore has accepted the challenge and is spearheading a rigorous recruitment drive to strengthen the team.
Briatore’s new role as a special supervisor doesn’t demand his constant presence at the track. This reunion with Renault is significant, given his history of winning two Drivers’ World Championships with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006, and multiple Constructors’ Championships with the same team. His earlier stint with the team, when it was known as Benetton, saw him guide Michael Schumacher to his first two Formula 1 titles.
Despite these achievements, Briatore’s career has not been without blemish. The 2008 Singapore Grand Prix scandal, where Nelson Piquet Jr. deliberately crashed to aid Alonso’s win, led to his expulsion from the sport. Although he was later reinstated, the controversy ended his F1 career in 2009.
Briatore’s journey in F1 began when he was appointed commercial director of the Benetton Formula One team in 1988, thanks to his connection with Luciano Benetton. Without prior motorsport experience, he quickly ascended to Managing Director in 1989. His strategic decisions, such as recruiting John Barnard from Ferrari, showcased his knack for identifying and acquiring top talent.
Under Briatore’s leadership, Benetton thrived. He signed Michael Schumacher in 1991, and by 1994, Benetton clinched its first Drivers’ Championship. The team won both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in 1995, solidifying Briatore’s reputation as a master strategist.
In 1997, Renault bought Benetton, and Briatore continued his Midas touch, leading the Renault F1 team to consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in 2005 and 2006 with Fernando Alonso. However, the 2008 Crashgate scandal overshadowed these successes, leading to severe penalties, including Briatore’s ban from F1 events.
Despite his exit, Briatore never completely disconnected from F1, maintaining relationships with significant figures like Bernie Ecclestone and managing Fernando Alonso. This ongoing passion for the sport and the challenge of rejuvenating Alpine brought him back to F1. Renault rebranded its F1 team as Alpine in 2021 to boost its road car division, but has struggled since. With only one victory in 2021 and a respectable fourth place finish in the Constructors’ Championship in 2022, the team’s performance declined to sixth place by 2023 amidst internal conflicts between drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.
One of Briatore’s primary tasks is addressing the lack of talented designers and key personnel at Alpine. Although they’ve managed to recruit aerodynamicist David Sanchez from Ferrari and McLaren, the competition for top engineers is fierce. Briatore has been reaching out to designers and has even held talks with Adrian Newey, a highly sought-after figure.
The future of Briatore’s involvement with Alpine hinges on his success in building a competitive team by 2026. Known for his high standards, Briatore may step down if he can’t assemble a team capable of competing at the highest level. Fans and insiders will closely follow his efforts to see if he can bring back the past glory and restore Alpine’s competitive edge.
Flavio Briatore’s unexpected return to F1 to revive Alpine has added a new layer of intrigue to the sport. His storied history and proven track record make him a compelling figure to watch as he embarks on this challenging journey.
