'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Alpine's controversial signing Flavio Briatore had a message for the people disapproving his F1 return. The Italian who made his name in the sport as the team principal for squads like Benetton and Renault, taking them to dual championships, is back after 15 years away from the sport.
Briatore resigned from Renault in 2009 after being found guilty in the Crashgate scandal. To add to this, he was working with the same Renault squad based out of Enstone. It was the scandal where he was the main perpetrator that led to the French brand's departure from the sport as a constructor.
Briatore is now back and he will be serving in the capacity of advisor, doing that job while reporting to Renault boss Luca de Meo. The Italian's return to F1 has resulted in Alpine facing a lot of backlash due to his involvement in the Crashgate scandal.
Sky F1 had a chance to talk to Flavio Briatore, and the first question put to him was his message to anyone who disapproves of his return. The Italian emphatically said "F**k off" as he talked about what would be his second innings with the sport.
Briatore was also questioned on what would be his role within the team and what brought his return to F1 with Alpine. The Italian revealed that he has a great relationship with Luca de Meo, and after a lot of discussion between the two parties, he's finally decided to come back and he'll rebuild Alpine. He said:
“Not really. I know the chairman of Renault, Luca de Meo, very well and have lots of respect [for him]. He met some difficulties in the performance of the team. He asked if it was possible for me to be the executive advisor of the chairman. We negotiated for two or three months, maybe more."
He added:
“I feel I have the motivation to do it. I feel it is possible to do it. I feel that it’s possible to put the team again on the right direction to performing and this is what I like, to go back in the competition.”
Bruno Famin to continue as Alpine team principal
Briatore has been an F1 team principal before. He led the Benetton squad to the title in 1994 and 1995 with Michael Schumacher, he also helped Fernando Alonso win his two titles in 2005 and 2006 while leading Renault.
The Italian was questioned if he was ultimately going to replace Bruno Famin in that role, and the Italian declined any such thing. He detailed that in his role, he only reported to Luca de Meo, and Bruno Famin's position is safe. He said,
“I’m working with Bruno, I’m working with everybody. For me, I’m working with Luca. This is my job, I report to him and we try together to get the best performance for the team. I’m not changing the tyres yet. I don’t want to change the tyres, I don’t want to drive the car."
He added,
“I just want to be competitive. In two years’ time, we will be there. I want to give my contribution. We have a team principal who is doing a very good job, we have an organisation working together and I’m sure we’ll put everything together in a very short time.”
The way Alpine has approached F1, it is hard to see the team making an immediate turnaround. It will be very interesting to see if Flavio can spring some magic and turn things around swiftly.
