Flavio Briatore is employed by Alpine's parent company Renault on a consultancy basis Flavio Briatore heads into this weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at the helm of the embattled Alpine team - but he is not team principal, an employee or even a licence holder in Formula 1. Alpine's former team principal, Briton Oliver Oakes,resigned on 6 May, citing "personal reasons". Briatore, who is employed on a consultancy basis by parent company Renault, is "covering the duties previously performed by Oakes", Alpine has said. But it has emerged he is not the person responsible for the team in the eyes of governing body the FIA. He cannot be - because he is not a member of staff, and does not hold an F1 licence, as is required of people in such authority by the FIA's competitor's staff registration system. In the absence of a new team principal, racing director Dave Greenwood is the "dedicated responsible person", an Alpine spokesperson said. Greenwood rejoined Alpine in January from Oakes' HiTech organisation. He had previously been at Ferrari, Manor/Marussia, and Renault, where he worked under Briatore. Asked why Briatore is not a staff member or licence holder, an Alpine spokesperson said: "Flavio came into the team as executive adviser and remains a consultant. There's nothing more to it, or to read into it." An FIA spokesperson said: "Alpine have complied with all regulatory requirements relating to the departure of Mr Oakes, and have submitted their updated staff registration. "We believe it is down to Alpine to provide an update on their management structure so we will not comment on any specific person holding a certificate of registration." Briatore remains the de facto boss of Alpine F1, with ultimate authority under Renault Group chief executive officer Luca de Meo. The 75-year-old Italian wasbrought in last summerto turn the team's ailing fortunes around. It was a controversial appointment. Briatore led two previous guises of this team to a total of four world-title doubles - two as Benetton in 1994-95 with Michael Schumacher, and two as Renault in 2005-06 with Fernando Alonso. But he is notorious for his involvement in the so-called 'crash-gate' scandal, when Nelson Piquet Jr deliberately crashed his Renault during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix as part of a plan to advantage team-mate Alonso, who went on to win the race. The plot did not become public knowledge until a year later, whenBriatore was given an indefinite banfrom the sport by the FIA. This wasoverturned by a French court in 2010, but Briatore had had no active involvement in F1 since, other than as a behind-the-scenes managerial adviser to Alonso. Teams have to submit their proposals for the identity of six "main members" of staff to the FIA for approval - a team principal, sporting director, technical director, team manager and two race engineers. The so-called competitor's staff registration system, which is designated under the FIA practice directions, is in place to "preserve and protect the FIA Formula 1 World Championship". The FIA has the right to refuse a certificate of registration if someone is "under a disciplinary sanction" or "in breach of the FIA code of good standing". These decisions are subject to appeal. The FIA lists a series of examples "which might constitute an infringement of this code". These include: "Giving instructions to a driver or other member of a competitor's staff with the intention or with the likely result of causing an accident, collision or crash or a race to be stopped or suspended", and "giving instructions to a driver or otherwise taking any action by which the result or course of a race may be influenced".
Briatore heads Alpine in Italy - but not as team principal
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Flavio Briatore Takes Consultancy Role at Alpine Amid Team Restructuring"
Bbc News
8.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Flavio Briatore has taken on a significant role at Alpine as the team prepares for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, although he does not hold the official title of team principal or possess a Formula 1 license. Following the resignation of Oliver Oakes on May 6 for personal reasons, Briatore has been covering the responsibilities previously managed by Oakes, as confirmed by Alpine. However, Briatore's status as a consultant for Renault, Alpine's parent company, means he is not recognized as a team member by the FIA, the governing body of Formula 1. Consequently, the racing director, Dave Greenwood, has been designated as the official responsible person for the team. Greenwood, who rejoined Alpine in January after a stint at Oakes' HiTech organization, has an extensive background in Formula 1, having worked with notable teams such as Ferrari and Renault, where he previously collaborated with Briatore.
Despite Briatore's lack of formal authority within the team's hierarchy, he is viewed as the de facto leader, operating under the direction of Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo. Briatore's involvement with Alpine has sparked controversy, given his history with the team, where he previously led it to significant success, including four world titles during his tenures with Benetton and Renault. However, his past is marred by the infamous 'crash-gate' scandal, which led to his indefinite ban from Formula 1 in 2009, a ruling later overturned by a French court. As Alpine navigates its management structure, the FIA requires teams to submit a list of key staff members for approval, including the team principal. This regulatory framework aims to maintain the integrity of the Formula 1 Championship and ensure compliance with the FIA's standards, particularly concerning individuals with a history of disciplinary actions. Therefore, while Briatore's influence remains strong, his official capacity is limited by regulatory requirements and his status as a consultant rather than a licensed team member.
TruthLens AI Analysis
Flavio Briatore's involvement with the Alpine F1 team has sparked significant interest and scrutiny, especially given his controversial history in motorsport. The article highlights the complexities of Briatore's role, as he steps in during a time of management transition while not officially holding any formal authority within the team. This scenario raises questions about the governance and operational structure of Alpine, especially in light of recent leadership changes.
Management Structure and Governance
The article underscores the confusion surrounding Briatore's position, as he covers for the former team principal Oliver Oakes without being a formal employee or holding a required F1 licence. This situation could create uncertainty within the team, potentially affecting both morale and performance. The reliance on Briatore as a consultant rather than as a team principal suggests a strategic decision by Alpine to leverage his experience without fully reinstating him in a formal capacity. The mention of Dave Greenwood as the "dedicated responsible person" implies a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution, which might lead to further instability in team dynamics.
Public Perception and Implications
By presenting Briatore as a de facto leader while not officially recognized as such, the article may be shaping public perception towards a more favorable view of Alpine’s management. It suggests that the team is trying to stabilize under an experienced figure, which could resonate positively with fans and stakeholders. However, this could also lead to skepticism about the team's transparency and governance, potentially alienating certain segments of their audience who value clarity and accountability in leadership.
Hidden Agendas and Market Impact
The emphasis on Briatore's consultancy role could hint at underlying strategic maneuvers by the Renault Group to maintain control over Alpine's direction without facing the backlash of re-appointing a controversial figure directly into a formal role. This might be an attempt to avoid scrutiny while still benefiting from Briatore's expertise. Such dynamics could have implications for investor confidence and market perception, particularly concerning shares related to Renault and its performance in F1.
Community Engagement and Support
The article may particularly resonate with motorsport enthusiasts familiar with Briatore's legacy, potentially engendering support from fans who appreciate his past successes. However, it could also attract criticism from those who remember the contentious aspects of his tenure in F1, highlighting a divided community response.
Conclusion
Overall, the reliability of the article appears high, as it cites official statements from Alpine and the FIA regarding compliance with regulatory requirements. However, the framing of Briatore's role raises questions about the team's management and future direction. The article suggests an attempt to reassure stakeholders while possibly obscuring the real challenges Alpine faces during this transitional phase.