Read ahead as we decode the most controversial Formula 1 personality.
Flavio Briatore, a new name that has been popping up in front of Formula 1 fans. The past 24 hours have been shaky and controversy ridden for Alpine F1. Their new team principal, Briatore took over operations from Oliver Oakes. Oakes’ resignation gave way to Jack Doohan’s demotion from his seat. Their new driver, Franco Colapinto has five races to prove himself.
Yet, amidst all this chaos, Briatore’s name caught the most attention. At first, Flavio Briatore has to bear the accusations of influencing Oliver Oakes’ decision to resign. He came forward to relay a deciding message regarding the current situation in the team.
Flavio Briatore is an Italian Businessman, serving as the executive order and team principal of Alpine F1. He rejoined the team in 2023. Briatore is a famous personality from the earlier era of Formula 1. Briatore was a part of the Benetton Formula 1 team and later Renault Formula 1 team during 1990s and 2000s era of Formula 1.
After Briatore’s exit from Formula 1, he used to call Formula 1 a sport of accountants rather than “gladiators”. Briatore’s stance regarding Formula 1 was more towards the entertainment side of F1. He did not like the idea of technicalities which were prevalent in the sport.
Flavio Briatore made his first Formula 1 appearance in 1985. His company, the Benetton Group, bought Toleman Motorsport. Renamed as, Benetton Formula 1 team, Flavio Briatore was not a prominent member of the team’s operations. Although, after he became active in the team, his first move was to recruit Michael Schumacher from Jordan in 1991. He gave Benetton their two Formula 1 championships by building a team around Michael Schumacher. Although, Briatore exit the team in 1997, after selling it to Giancarlo Minardi and Gabriele Rumi.
He did not stay away from the sport for long. He returned to action with Renault in 2000. This time, Flavio Briatore found yet another champion- Fernando Alonso. Him and Alonso won two Formula 1 champions together in 2005 and 2006.
Briatore’s exit from Formula 1 came in 2009. FIA kicked out Flavio Briatore in September 2009 from the sport. He was banned forever from Formula 1. The FIA went as far as to stop granting superlicense to the drivers under his management. It was among the harshest punishments that an individual could face in Formula 1. The FIA was keen on abolishing Flavio Briatore from Formula 1 for life.
This ban, was a result of Flavio Briatore’s controversial actions at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. He allegedly passed the instructions to Nelson Piquet Jr. in order to crash during the race. This helped Fernando Alonso win the race. The scandal was known as the “Crashgate” controversy. It is among the worst scandals that have taken place in Formula 1 history.
Although, Briatore’s ban did not last long. He did manage to overturn his ban and sue the FIA. In 2010, Briatore was cleared off the charges levied by Formula 1. But, his interests in Formula 1 did not exist anymore, according to Flavio himself.
In 2024, Renault’s CEO Luca de Meo somehow brought back the most wanted man of Formula 1. Almost instantly, Flavio Briatore became the topic of discussions and controversy. The history he has in F1 is enough to prove that his new era won’t last long. It won’t be long before there is an outcry to remove him again.
