Former racer Ralf Schumacher believes there is no place for managers like Flavio Briatore in modern Formula 1. The eccentric Italian accepted a role as a senior advisor at the Alpine team last year. A few decades ago, he led the team, then under the Renault name, to great successes with Fernando Alonso. Schumacher, however, advocates for more technicians at the top of the sport.
The return of Flavio Briatore in 2024 was accompanied by much controversy. The 75-year-old businessman was once banned from Formula 1 due to his involvement in the crashgate scandal. Now, the dust has somewhat settled, and Briatore, since the sudden departure of Oliver Oakes, is the de facto team boss at Alpine. Ralf Schumacher, whose brother and seven-time world champion Michael drove for Briatore at the then Benetton in the mid-nineties, questions whether the Italian is still suitable to lead a Formula 1 team.
The analyst advocates for engineers and technicians, particularly former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. He led the team to eight driver titles and six constructor titles before he was suddenly dismissed in July. “I think the time for figures like Flavio (Briatore) is over,” Schumacher told Bild. “You need technically skilled people at the top, someone like Horner. Flavio could then help as an organizer and networker, as a face to the outside world.”
Engineers at the Helm
In recent years, more and more technical directors have moved to management positions within Formula 1 teams. Nowadays, all teams have someone with an engineering background at the helm, with the exception of Alpine and Mercedes. This is a remarkable change from the traditional management structure within the sport. Williams took this direction in 2023 by appointing former strategic director James Vowles. Under the Brit’s leadership, the team is having its best season in ten years and currently ranks fifth in the constructors’ championship.
Schumacher had high praise for Vowles’ performance. “He is the right man. Williams had very entrenched structures that are difficult to break,” he explained. The German drove for the Grove-based team from 1999 to 2004 and won six Grand Prix. “Vowles has already partially succeeded in breaking those structures,” he continued. “The team holds a strong position within the sport and has powerful drivers. Moreover, they are no longer focusing on the development of the current car; they are fully focused on 2026. It will be very exciting to see what they achieve.”
[Image caption: James Vowles at the Williams pit wall (Getty Images)]
