From Outcast to Top Dog: Controversial Puppeteer Flavio Briatore Back in the F1 Spotlight
Remarkable Revival of the Side-dancer Briatore
The infamous Flavio Briatore, a man known for his chequered past and West End-style management tactics, has made a shock return to the world of Formula 1. Once a man left in the dust after the "Crashgate" scandal, Briatore is now center stage on the Grand Prix circuit as the ringmaster at Alpine.
After the shocking departure of Oliver Oakes, team principal at Alpine, Briatore, previously the team's advisor, has taken the reins and replaced underperforming rookie Jack Doohan with reserve driver Franco Colapinto.
"With the landscape of this year's competition so closely contested," Briatore said, "and our car proving to be a formidable contender, we aim to shake things up a bit with a change in our driver lineup." The 21-year-old Argentine Colapinto faces five races to prove his mettle as Doohan's replacement, alongside experienced heavyweight Pierre Gasly.
Back for Good: The F1 Bad Boy
No one would have predicted the return of Briatore, a man deftly manoeuvring theShader from one nightclub to another, to the Formula 1 world, let alone the top echelon. The playboy, who once shared the kingdom with Michael Schumacher and supermodel Heidi Klum, is infamous for leading two of the most successful F1 teams, Benetton and Renault.
Briatore's meteoric rise in the F1 hierarchy culminated in that disastrous night in Singapore back in 2008. Colluding with technical chief Pat Symonds, Briatore ordered driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash in the early stages of the Singapore Grand Prix. This dastardly deed did wonders for teammate Fernando Alonso, propelling him to victory.
Whispers of foul play soon filled the air, and the truth was laid bare: Alonso did not have fortunate stardust guiding him but rather a manipulated race of unprecedented proportions. Piquet spoke out after being let go in 2009, leading to investigations and court trials that resulted in Briatore being handed a life ban.
But the irrepressible Briatore refused to be banished from the world of F1. A French court eventually deemed his exclusion unlawful, and in 2024, Renault CEO Luca de Meo welcomed the pariah Briatore back into the fold. It's no surprise that Briatore, who always sidesteps trouble like a skilful performer, claimed that legendary team principal Frank Williams once said, "Flavio is not a racer, but he always makes the right decisions."
Uncertain Times Ahead
The future is uncertain for Alpine, with Briatore's return as team principal causing ripples in the F1 world. His questionable past is a double-edged sword, for some applauding his audaciousness while others fear he may bring trouble in his wake. Only time will tell if Briatore can steer Alpine back to the glory days or if his infamous reputation will once again come back to haunt him.
- Formula 1
- Michael Schumacher
- Alpina
Formulas 1 and Alpina have welcomed back the controversy-ridden Flavio Briatore, who was once a partner of legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher.
Flavio Briatore's return to Formula 1 was unexpected, given his involvement in the infamous "Crashgate" scandal that rocked the sport in 2008.
While Briatore's return has caused commotion in the Formula 1 world, some believe his audaciousness, akin to a puppeteer manipulating pieces on a grand stage, could be the key to Alpina regaining its former glory.
