Alpine-Renault appears to be in denial about Briatore’s tainted history in Formula 1 following the infamous crashgate scandal during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. In this scandal, Briatore, who was the team principal of Renault’s F1 team at the time, instructed Nelson Piquet Jr to deliberately cause a crash so that the Safety Car would enter the track and give Fernando Alonso a chance to win the race, which he ultimately did. This unethical behavior had a detrimental impact on the sport and those involved. It is especially concerning considering the current emphasis on transparency and integrity within Formula 1.
During a press conference with the F1 team principals in Barcelona, Famin was asked about his thoughts on having someone with Briatore’s questionable past providing advice to the team. Famin responded candidly, stating that he does not dwell on the past and is fully focused on the future and improving the team. He believes that having Briatore as an advisor could be beneficial due to his extensive knowledge of Formula 1 and vast network of contacts. Famin remains optimistic that Briatore’s experience can contribute to the team’s development and success.
When confronted with the fact that Briatore has not apologized for his actions, Famin downplayed its importance, reiterating his forward-thinking mindset. He emphasized that his main concern is moving the team forward, not dwelling on past mistakes.
Despite facing more scrutiny during the press conference, Famin continued to deny any negative implications in hiring Briatore. He simplifies the situation, seeing Briatore as just another valuable asset for the team. Famin believes that bringing people like Briatore and technical director David Sanchez will improve the competitiveness and overall performance of the team. He emphasizes the importance of using all available resources and seeking additional assets to strengthen the team.
Only time will tell if Briatore’s role at Alpine will be a long-term commitment or if he will join the list of transient “advisors” who have passed through Enstone.
