Flavio Briatore returned to Alpine in 2024 and has been the team principal of the Formula 1 outfit again since 2025. The Italian previously led the Enstone operation—under the Benetton and Renault banners—to seven world championships. His career, however, was also cast in shadow by Crashgate, the biggest scandal in Formula 1 history. With his comeback, Briatore has been tasked with dragging Alpine back to the front.
Early on, Flavio Briatore met Luciano Benetton, the man behind the namesake clothing empire. When the fashion giant moved into the US market in 1979, Briatore was appointed to run that division there. Six years later, in 1985, the Benetton family made a bold play into an entirely different arena. They bought the Toleman Motorsport Formula 1 team and rebranded it as the Benetton Formula 1 Team. In 1989 Briatore was appointed to run the commercial side of the racing operation. Two years later the Italian had full control of the team.
In 1992 the team moved to a brand‑new facility in Enstone, Oxfordshire. That base—now Alpine’s—remains the team’s home to this day. But Briatore’s biggest coup was Michael Schumacher. After Schumacher’s F1 debut in 1991, Briatore managed to poach the young German from Jordan. A legal tussle followed, but Briatore came out on top. Under his stewardship Schumacher won two races in 1992 and 1993, then went on to claim two world titles in 1994 and 1995.
Briatore strengthened Benetton by acquiring the Ligier team and transferring the Renault engine contract to Benetton. With those power units the team claimed the 1995 Constructors’ Championship, while Michael Schumacher extended his Drivers’ title. At the end of 1997 Briatore was forced out after a run of disappointing results. In 2000 Renault announced its return to Formula 1 by buying Benetton. Briatore came back as team principal and signed a young Fernando Alonso. Under his guidance the Spaniard blossomed into a genuine race talent, going on to secure the world championship in 2005 and 2006.
Crashgate
Briatore had to leave Renault after the ‘Crashgate’ scandal. He and chief engineer Pat Symonds instructed driver Nelson Piquet Jr. to deliberately crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix with the objective of deploying the safety car and handing the race to Fernando Alonso. The plan succeeded and Alonso took the win. After Briatore dismissed Piquet Jr. in mid-2009, the Brazilian exposed the scheme. In September that year the FIA accused Renault of conspiracy and race manipulation. Renault and Briatore threatened to sue Piquet for libel, but the team withdrew that threat and confirmed Briatore’s departure. The FIA imposed a lifetime ban on Briatore from all events organised by the governing body; a French court overturned that ban in 2010.
New chance at Alpine
In June 2024 Briatore returned to Enstone with Alpine, the operation that had formerly been Renault, taking on the role of Executive Advisor for the Formula 1 division. After his return he reduced the headcount at Enstone significantly. In September 2024 Renault announced the closure of the engine factory in Viry-Châtillon — a decision Briatore pushed through. Alpine opted to become a customer of Mercedes power units from 2026. On 6 May 2025, following the sudden dismissal of team principal Oliver Oakes, Briatore stepped in as team principal himself. With the new regulations coming in 2026, Briatore demands Alpine must start winning.
