New reports have emerged, claiming that former Renault and Benetton team boss Flavio Briatore, will be returning to Formula 1 in an advisory role.
The Italian, out of Formula 1 since 2009, in the wake of the 2008 crash-gate, after being found guilty of manipulating the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, when he – along with the team’s tech boss Pat Symonds – ordered the team’s driver at the time Nelson Piquet Jr. to deliberately crash his car, to trigger a safety car in order to help teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.
The Spaniard duly won the race, but after being fired from the team the following year, Piquet revealed what had happened, and an investigation by the FIA followed with both Briatore and Symonds banned from FIA governed events – Briatore for life and Symonds for 5 years – but later in 2010, their bans were lifted effective end of 2012.
Briatore not active in F1 since 2009
Briatore did not have a role in F1 ever since, except for being Alonso’s manager and confidante, while Symonds re-surfaced at Williams in as technical director between 2014 and 2016, before joining Formula 1 working alongside Ross Brawn, playing a pivotal role in developing this year’s technical regulations.
According to De Telegraaf, Briatore is set to return to F1 in an advisory role, the Dutch publication also quoting an F1 spokesperson saying: “Flavio Briatore, in his capacity as long-serving ambassador to Formula 1, will continue to support us in building our relationships with existing and potential promoters and partners and developing commercial and entertainment partnerships so we can continue to grow this incredible sport.”
Briatore has posted on social media last October, a video of a meeting with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, after which the flamboyant Italian said: “New energy, new power and new excitement, Formula 1.”
Domenicali added: “So stay tuned, lots of fun for the next season in Formula 1.”