Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone have dropped their biggest hints yet, suggesting that Briatore is set to return to Formula One in a ‘business’ role.
The disgraced ex-Renault team principal has been linked to various roles when his sporting ban ends in 2013. They include taking over the reigns at Ferrari and a role within Pirelli, however, it seems most likely that he will work alongside Ecclestone at FOM.
In interviews with various media sources, Briatore rules out returning in the same role as when he left the sport, but confirmed his involvement within F1 was far from over.
“I have drawn a line under the role of team boss, but that does not mean I am saying goodbye to F1 – far from it,” he told French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche, adding “We shall see how my return to F1 goes in 2013,” The Times of India quotes him as saying.
Meanwhile, Ecclestone, a good friend of Briatore’s, is keen to put the past behind them and work together for the better of the sport.
“What happened with Flavio was awful and very wrong and he deserved to be punished, maybe not as severely as he has been,” the 79-year-old told Gulf News.
“But we, and he, will overcome the setbacks and get on with the job of putting on a fabulous show for the fans worldwide and living our lives.”
