Renault Looks to Flavio Briatore to Turn Around Fortunes, Reports Suggest
Formula 1 news outlets Corriere della Serra and L’Equipe have reported that Renault CEO Luca De Meo has approached 74-year-old Flavio Briatore to take on a special advisory role, aiming to revamp the team’s performance. According to sources, Briatore’s primary focus would be on recruitment, bolstering the Enstone headquarters and Viry-Chatillon engine plant, rather than a hands-on position.
Alpine has refrained from confirming or denying Briatore’s involvement, stating, “> 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.”
If confirmed, Briatore’s return to the Formula 1 paddock would likely stir some controversy. As the former Benetton and Renault team principal, he was instrumental in Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso‘s double championship wins. However, he was also at the center of the 2008 Singapore ‘Crashgate’ scandal, which led to a paddock ban that was later overturned in 2010. Since then, Briatore has been a regular visitor to Formula 1 events, attending last week’s Monaco Grand Prix and meeting with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
Alpine has experienced a tumultuous 10 months, marked by the removal of brand CEO Laurent Rossi, team principal Otmar Szafnauer, and sporting director Alan Permane. The team’s wrong design direction for its 2024 challenger led to a slow start to the season. As a result, technical director Matt Harman and head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer departed in March. Interim team boss Bruno Famin implemented a new technical structure, bringing in McLaren’s David Sanchez as the overarching tech chief.
Despite recent progress, moving from the rear of the grid to midfield contention, Alpine still faces challenges. Renault Group CEO De Meo is reportedly frustrated with the team’s lack of results and is open to making further changes. Bringing back Briatore, a controversial figure in Formula 1, would undoubtedly shake things up.
These rumors emerge amid reports that several potential buyers, including Chinese manufacturer Geely, are interested in acquiring the Enstone team. Alpine has repeatedly denied that the team is for sale, stating, “> The rumours and stories about the team being for sale are false. The team is categorically not for sale.”
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