Flavio Briatore, a well-known figure in the world of Formula 1, has been no 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 among its drivers, resulting in a disappointing eighth place in the constructor’s standings. In an effort to turn things around, the French manufacturer has taken a proactive approach by appointing their former team principal, Flavio Briatore, as the Executive Advisor for their F1 division.
The French manufacturer made a comeback in the world of Formula 1 in the 2000s when they acquired a team led by Flavio Briatore. This acquisition ultimately led to Briatore becoming the team principal at Renault, where he played a role in discovering 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 of events, Alpine, the team in question, announced that Flavio Briatore would be taking on the role of Executive Advisor after a lackluster start to the 2024 season. This announcement created quite a buzz within the Formula 1 community, with experts divided on whether this move would bring the desired success to Alpine. Despite any reservations, the CEO of the Renault group, Luca de Meo, has shown confidence in the 74-year-old 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 appears that his aspirations of leading the team again may be a distant dream, and he will need to make significant progress to turn this dream into reality once more.
The team has outlined the specific responsibilities that Briatore will take on in his new role. These include scouting for talented drivers and providing valuable insights into the driver market, as well as offering assistance to the current F1 project. His position can be likened to that of a consultant at other organizations, and his return to the forefront of motor racing could have a significant impact on the transfer market as a whole.