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9 months after storming again into the Alpine F1 fold, Flavio Briatore has revealed the one non-negotiable situation he demanded from Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo earlier than agreeing to resurrect the Enstone squad.
The 74-year-old Italian, a polarizing maestro of F1’s previous, returned in June 2024 after a 15-year exile, armed with a mission to tug Alpine out of the midfield mire.
With a legacy of seven titles from the Benetton and Renault glory days, Briatore made clear that his return wasn’t a sentimental stroll down reminiscence lane, nor was he desirous about a ceremonial position.
The flamboyant Italian’s F1 resume is a wild experience: banned over 2008’s ‘Crashgate’ scandal, but revered for crafting championship dynasties, Alpine’s latest woes – administration shake-ups and lackluster seasons – lured him again.
“This staff, speaking about Alpine, it’s the identical staff. It’s a Benetton staff, a Renault staff, an Alpine. You alter the [colour of the] shirts, you modify a little bit little bit of the efficiency, however it’s the similar staff,” he advised Motorsport.com.
“After 15 years out of Formulation 1, I adopted some races watching on TV. So, someday I known as Luca. I advised him I felt so sorry to see the staff on this situation, as a result of it was my staff.
“I created this staff, I constructed within the manufacturing facility and there have been world championships received on this constructing.”
The Deal: Nothing Much less Than Full Management
Briatore’s return wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment whim, however a gradual realization that emerged over a number of discussions between himself and de Meo.
“I wished to do one thing. And we began speaking on the cellphone,” he defined.
“At some point we met in Paris, I used to be busy with my restaurant enterprise – I had 1,200 workers after which 600, as a result of I offered 50% of the enterprise and I had a little bit extra time.
“I simply advised Luca, let me see if it’s potential. If I nonetheless have the identical guide I had earlier than, to place collectively this staff. And we began speaking however there was one situation, I wished to be in cost fully.”
De Meo needed to hand over the reins – or Briatore wasn’t in the least .
A Glimmer of Hope, Grounded in Actuality
Whereas the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix noticed Alpine obtain a double podium, a consequence that propelled them up the constructors standings, Briatore remained grounded.
“With out taking something away from an unimaginable Ocon within the moist and a Gasly who did his job nicely, at the moment we had been additionally fortunate,” he advised Sky Italia on the time.”I believe we’ve got a automotive that’s higher within the moist. Sadly, I don’t suppose the following three races can be moist.
“However at the moment we noticed with all these younger drivers introduced as a brand new phenomena how a lot expertise nonetheless counts in Formulation 1.”
Now, only a week away from the beginning of the 2025 F1 season, Briatore is absolutely entrenched, wielding whole management and a playbook that’s labored wonders earlier than.
Alpine’s late-2024 surge hints at potential, however he’s not banking on rain dances. Together with his experience-first ethos, he’s betting on grit over glitz to revive Enstone’s shine.
Will it repay? Time – and perhaps a couple of dry races – will inform.
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