Flavio Briatore is set for a stunning comeback to Formula 1 as a special advisor for the Alpine team.
Corriere della Sera and L’Equipe first reported that the 74-year-old has agreed to try and revive the fortunes of the team he once ran under the Benetton and Renault names.
Renault CEO Luca Di Meo has been instrumental in this, seeking out the help of his fellow Italian following a miserable start to the 2024 season for Alpine. They have scored just two points in the first eight rounds — the A524 was overweight and plain slow at the beginning of the campaign.
The former team principal will be tasked with trying to recruit people to help improve the chassis and aero department at Enstone, alongside improving the engine division at Viry.
Briatore is a very divisive figure in Formula One. Part of the Benetton and Renault teams, they won four Drivers’ Championships during his time there. Two with Michael Schumacher (1994 and 1995), and two with Fernando Alonso (2005 and 2006).
For many, however, he is best remembered for crashgate. Nelson Piquet deliberately crashed out of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, helping Fernando Alonso take the win following the Spaniard’s technical issues in Q2 during qualifying the previous day.
Piquet would go on to spill the beans following his sacking from Renault during the 2009 season. Pat Symonds and Briatore were found guilty of involvement in it and departed Renault in September of 2009.
Initially Briatore was banned from Motor Racing for life. However, that was overturned.
When Alpine got asked to comment on the matter, they said they do not want to discuss anything regarding a particular individual.
“As a team, we are in frequent contact with a number of industry experts in pursuit of improving overall performance. We consider all relevant inputs and, when appropriate, seek advice from people with experience and previous success. We cannot comment on any individual matters.”
