Comeback sensation

Fixed! Flavio Briatore is back in Formula 1

Flavio Briatore is back in Formula 1(Bild: GEPA)

The sensational comeback of Flavio Briatore is fixed! The former Formula 1 manager and team boss will become Alpine's executive advisor.

The controversial Italian was personally appointed by Renault CEO Luca de Meo. This was announced by Alpine on Friday before the Barcelona Grand Prix. The Renault subsidiary, which is only eighth in the constructors' championship, is looking for a way out of the crisis after chaotic months.

"Briatore will focus primarily on high-level areas of the team, including scouting top talent and providing insight into the driver market, challenging the existing project by evaluating the current structure and advising on some strategic issues within the sport," the team said in a statement.

After "Crashgate" came the ban
The team, based in Enstone in the UK, helped Michael Schumacher to his first two world championship triumphs in 1994 and 1995 under the name Benetton - Briatore had brought the German to the team and was also team principal at the time. Two more titles came under the Renault umbrella in 2005 and 2006 with Fernando Alonso.

Briatore experienced a low point in Formula 1 in 2008 after a faked accident involving his driver Nelson Piquet Junior: following this "Crashgate", he was initially banned for life by the FIA, but was later pardoned in order to bring his knowledge of commercial matters to the premier class of motorsport.