Flavio Briatore entered the Formula 1 scene in 1990, taking the helm of the Benetton team, which eventually evolved into Renault. During his tenure, he collaborated with renowned drivers such as Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
Renault appears to be considering the return of Flavio Briatore, the controversial former chief, to aid in the revival of the struggling Alpine team.
Briatore, who led the Enstone outfit for 19 years starting in 1990 when it was known as Benetton, faced disgrace in 2009 due to his involvement in the infamous ‘Crashgate’ scandal with Nelson Piquet Jr. Although initially banned from all FIA events, this sanction was later overturned on appeal in the French courts. Despite being absent from direct involvement with an F1 team since then, the 74-year-old Italian businessman has remained a familiar figure in the paddock, continuing to manage Fernando Alonso.
According to a report in Italy’s Corriere della Sera, Renault may be contemplating Briatore’s return as a special adviser to breathe new life into their faltering Alpine project. When approached by Mirror Sport for comment, an Alpine spokesperson declined to confirm or deny Renault CEO Luca de Meo’s purported interest in Briatore, stating they “cannot comment on any individual matters.”
The spokesperson emphasized the team’s ongoing pursuit of performance improvement, acknowledging consultations with industry experts and the consideration of relevant inputs, including those from individuals with prior successes.
Under Briatore’s leadership, Benetton experienced significant achievements, with Michael Schumacher securing the team’s first two F1 titles in the mid-1990s. Despite a downturn following Schumacher’s departure for Ferrari, the team saw renewed success after rebranding as Renault.
Briatore’s tenure was marked by notable decisions, including the replacement of Jenson Button with Fernando Alonso, who subsequently clinched two championships with the team. However, the current iteration of the Enstone-based outfit faces considerable challenges. Alpine’s performance has declined, with a fourth-place finish in the 2022 constructors’ championship followed by a regression in subsequent seasons, culminating in just two points after the first eight rounds of the current season.
The team has also witnessed a significant departure of key personnel, including Alain Prost, Otmar Szafnauer, Alan Permane, and Matt Harman, despite investments from notable figures such as Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rory McIlroy, Anthony Joshua, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce.
Amidst these challenges, Renault’s potential re-engagement with Briatore underscores their commitment to addressing the team’s struggles and revitalizing their competitive edge in the fiercely contested world of Formula 1.
