Alpine System 1 crew boss Bruno Famin says he “would not actually thoughts in regards to the previous” after the crew introduced the controversial Flavio Briatore as its govt advisor.
On Friday morning Alpine confirmed the information that Briatore had been introduced in by Renault group CEO Luca de Meo as an govt advisor.
Whereas the information of Briatore being handed an advisory function had been circulating for the previous weeks, the official affirmation was nonetheless met with nice unease within the Barcelona paddock attributable to Briatore’s previous.
The previous Benetton and Renault crew principal, who was in cost when Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso claimed their double championship wins with the outfit, served a paddock ban for his function within the 2008 Singapore ‘Crashgate’ scandal.
That lifetime ban was overturned in 2010, with the Italian an everyday paddock customer since then and, most lately, seen attending the Monaco Grand Prix. Briatore has been serving to to facilitate industrial offers inside the sequence and can be nonetheless concerned in driver administration, together with Alpine’s reserve driver Jack Doohan.
Whereas Renault chief De Meo has commanded numerous senior personnel modifications over the previous 12 months for the reason that dismissal of earlier crew boss Otmar Szafnauer, Briatore’s appointment is seen as probably the most eyebrow-raising name thus far.
However crew principal Famin shrugged off questions on Briatore’s previous, saying he was simply centered on enhancing the struggling outfit as a substitute.
Flavio Briatore, Govt Advisor, Alpine F1
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Pictures
“I do not actually thoughts in regards to the previous, I am at all times wanting [at] the longer term, what we are able to do to get our crew higher,” Famin mentioned when extensively quizzed on the topic in Barcelona.
“Flavio has 40 years of expertise in System 1, he is aware of how you can function a successful crew. He has an excellent document, fairly plenty of world titles and he’ll deliver this expertise, this combating spirit to the crew. He’s the adviser to the Group CEO however he’ll advise the crew.
“He is aware of lots of people and I am certain he’ll assist us in creating the crew sooner and higher.
“I am wanting forward, not backwards.”
When requested how he may sq. Briatore’s appointment with the harm that was executed to the Renault model and the sequence in 2008, Famin prevented a straight response.
“There’s a very clear purpose to enhance the competitiveness of the crew as quick as doable and we’re in search of sturdy assist,” he added.
“We’re very blissful to have obtained David Sanchez as technical director, an excellent alternative.
“The data, the community, the affect of Flavio is [also] an asset and we’re utilizing all doable accessible property to make the crew stronger.”
Since his preliminary elimination from Renault, Briatore has maintained pleasant relations with a number of paddock stakeholders. Information of his appointment was met with lenient reactions from a few of Famin’s friends.
“I feel we have to give [him] the prospect to get well from the state of affairs,” mentioned Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff.
“I’ve recognized Flavio as an especially good businessman. He has lots of know-how in System 1. I feel everyone deserves the chance to come back again.”
Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur added: “I do not need to make any touch upon what’s occurred on one other crew, however total, I feel it is most likely as Bruno mentioned: If it is a step ahead for his or her crew, then it is good for F1 if Alpine is coming again into the combat.
“We all know the story and I feel he paid the value for this. Now he is allowed to come back again, so he can come again.”