Flavio Briatore, a well-known figure in the world of Formula 1, has not been a stranger to controversies throughout his career. However, his involvement in the 2024 F1 season has been far from successful. The team he is associated with has been plagued by internal conflicts between its drivers, resulting in a disappointing eighth place in the constructors’ standings. In an effort to reverse the situation, the French manufacturer has taken a proactive approach by appointing its former team principal, Flavio Briatore, as Executive Consultant for its F1 division.
The French manufacturer made a comeback to the world of Formula 1 in the 2000s when it acquired a team led by Flavio Briatore. This acquisition eventually led Briatore to become the team principal at Renault, where he played a role in the discovery of young talents. However, his tenure was marred by the infamous Crashgate scandal in 2008, which ultimately led to his resignation as team principal in 2009.
In a surprising twist, Alpine, the team in question, announced that Flavio Briatore would take on the role of Executive Consultant after a weak start to the 2024 season. This announcement caused a major stir in the Formula 1 community, with experts divided on whether this move would bring the desired success for Alpine. Despite any reservations, the CEO of the Renault group, Luca de Meo, has shown confidence in the 74-year-old veteran by bringing him back to Enstone.
Although Briatore has returned to the Enstone-based team, his role is that of an advisor rather than a leader. It seems that his aspirations to lead the team again may be a distant dream, and he will need to make significant progress to turn that dream into a reality once again.
The team has outlined the specific responsibilities that Briatore will assume in his new position. This includes the search for talented drivers and offering valuable insights into the driver market, as well as assisting with the current F1 project. His position can be compared to that of a consultant in other organizations, and his return to the motorsport scene may have a significant impact on the transfer market as a whole.
