Alpine Formula 1 Team Principal Bruno Famin doesn’t mind “about the past” when it comes to controversial new hire Flavio Briatore, whose involvement in the Singapore ‘Crashgate’ scandal has seemingly had no bearing on his appointment.
The Enstone-based Alpine squad whom Briatore guided to four World Championships under the guises of Benetton and Renault in the 1990s and 2000s announced on Friday that the Italian had been appointed Executive Advisor to the team.
Briatore is tasked with injecting a new strategic thinking to the beleaguered Alpine outfit which has been something of a chaotic underperformed in 2024 with just five points from the first nine rounds.
However, Briatore’s appointment has been questioned given the glaring ‘Crashgate’ blot on his record, where he conspired to have Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr crash on purpose during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to help guide team-mate Fernando Alonso to victory.
Briatore was initially handed a lifetime ban for the indiscretion once it came to light which he was able to overturn in a 2010 tribunal, but Famin and Alpine don’t see the controversy having weight on their decision to bring him back into the fold.
“I don’t really mind about the past,” Famin told media including Motorsport Week during Friday’s Spanish Grand Prix Press Conference.
“I’m looking toward the future and trying what we can to get our team better and having Flavio as Advisor is the opportunity to have his experience help us.
“He has a very high level of knowledge of Formula 1. He knows a lot of people and I am sure he will support us in developing the team.”
When probed further on what Briatore’s appointment says regarding Alpine and the Renault Group’s culture, an environment that seemingly allows employees with drastic past indiscretion to return to a seat of power, Famin skirted around the subject once more.
“There is a very clear goal to improve the competitiveness of the team as soon as possible as fast as possible and we are looking for strong support,” said Famin.
“We are very happy to have received again, David Sanchez, Technical director. Very good opportunity. We have been able to seize it very quickly and the same with Flavio.
“The target is to make the team better as soon as possible and with the knowledge, the network, the influence of Flavio with us, it’s an asset.
“And we are using all available assets and we will still look for new assets to make the team stronger.”
The message seems clear that influence and experience trump morals.
In attendance with Famin during Friday’s press conference were Mercedes Formula 1 Team Principal Toto Wolff, Ferrari F1 team boss Fred Vassuer and Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi.
All three commented on the Briatore appointment and the common thread was the Italian’s experience, coupled with the time elapsed since the controversy (it has been 15 years since ‘Crashgate’ came to light) has paved the way for a second chance.
“I think we need to give a chance to, you know, recover from these situations,” said Wolff.
“I have known Flavio as an extremely smart businessman. He has a lot of know-how in Formula 1. Every input that I’ve got over the last 10 years that I have been in much more contact with him and I have a friendly relationship with him, was, in a way, helpful.
“I think everybody deserves the opportunity to come back and for me for sure having another clever mind in Alpine, someone that is able to simplify things and apply common sense is in any case where Alpine is today, is a benefit.”
Ferrari Formula 1 Team Principal Vasseur added: “We know the story and I think he paid the price for this and now he’s able to come back.”
Alunni Bravi commented that he wasn’t “in a position to judge” given he doesn’t have a personal relationship with Briatore.
“I can just look at the track record he had in Formula 1 and also the inputs on the commercial side that he has given to F1 in the last years, bringing sponsors, bringing new values that have been important for the development of Formula One.
“We need, you know, clever people in Formula 1 and I think that we can say that he’s a clever one.”
Cleverness is important, but one thing Alpine hasn’t realised is that it has let a lot of clever people go in recent years who haven’t corrupted a race result by dangerous means.
Amazing on every level that a company owned by the French state would be so lacking in judgement.
De Meo has made all the classic CEO mistakes so far, but this is absurd even for him.
Alpine as a brand is something I have loved since the 1960s. This is horrible to watch….
… now that Felipe Massa is taking the Crashgate to court, timing could not be worse. I recall Mr. Briatore being also involved in a handful of irregularities and cheap tricks in his Benneton times. Definitely this hire will not be an asset to the brand image of Alpine-Renault…