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Formula 1

Flavio Briatore Returns to Alpine in an Advisory Role

Alpine’s bold move to bring back Flavio Briatore as Executive Advisor aims to inject experience and strategic guidance amidst internal turmoil and performance challenges, signaling a pivotal shift in their Formula One strategy.

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1 year ago

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Flavio Briatore Returns to Alpine in an Advisory Role

Alpine is currently in the midst of a significant crisis. The team is struggling with internal cohesion and performance issues. Despite CEO Luca De Meo’s efforts to clarify team goals, uncertainties persist. The French squad’s objective in Spain is to boost their points tally and climb up the standings. David Sanchez, a former Ferrari engineer, has recently joined the team amidst these turbulent times. However, the most unexpected development is Alpine’s announcement of Flavio Briatore’s return to Formula One after 14 years, as Executive Advisor.

ā€œBriatore will predominantly focus on top level areas of the team including: scouting top talents and providing insights on the driver market, challenging the existing project by assessing the current structure and advising on some strategic matters within the sport.ā€ – Motorsport.com

Briatore’s role extends beyond its initial impression. He will focus primarily on high-level areas such as talent scouting and insights into the driver market. Evaluating the current team structure, and advising on strategic matters are also some aspects he will look into.

Speculations about Alpine’s future have been rife for weeks, with the team denying rumours of an imminent Formula One exit. There are also discussions about Alpine potentially becoming a customer team after 2026, relinquishing their Renault engine. With Esteban Ocon set to depart after the season, Alpine faces the task of rebuilding its driver lineup.

A Journey from Business Ventures to Formula One

Born on April 12, 1950, Flavio Briatore has ventured through multiple business endeavours, ranging from ski instructing to restaurant management and door-to-door insurance sales. His early career took a tumultuous turn when his involvement with the Paramatti Vernici paint company led to his arrest on several counts of fraud. Evading a prison sentence, Briatore fled to the Virgin Islands during his legal proceedings.

His entry into Formula One was facilitated by Luciano Benetton, who appointed him as commercial director of the Benetton F1 Team. Later promoting him to team principal.

Flavio Briatore Returns to Alpine in an Advisory Role
Luciano Benetton and Flavio Briatore

Under Briatore’s leadership, Benetton F1 achieved notable success, particularly with Michael Schumacher, whom Briatore recruited from Jordan in 1991. The team built around Schumacher secured victories in races like Spa in 1992 and Estoril in 1993. And ultimately clinching the 1994 and 1995 Drivers’ and 1995 Constructors’ Championships.

Flavio Briatore Returns to Alpine in an Advisory Role

Schumacher won his first championship in the Australian GP ’94

Success brought greater scrutiny, leading to several allegations of cheating against Benetton. The FIA had banned several electronic aids for the 1994 season to emphasize driver skills. However, Michael Schumacher’s controversial win in Brazil gave rise to suspicions. Later in the season, a pit stop fire involving driver Jos Verstappen led to an investigation. This revealed a tampered fuel valve that allowed faster refuelling. Although Benetton blamed equipment manufacturer Intertechnique, they were found guilty but not punished.

The deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger at Imola brought further controversy. Accusations were that Benetton, McLaren, and Ferrari were still using banned traction control. However, Benetton was fined for delaying the submission of their engine management systems. They avoided punishment for hidden traction and launch control software due to a lack of evidence of its use.

Following Imola, the FIA introduced emergency regulations to reduce car speed, causing further issues and high-speed crashes.

The “plank” was one of these tactics; it was a piece of wood fastened to the car’s underbelly that raised the ride height and decreased downforce while simultaneously keeping an eye out for excessive wear. According to the regulations, the plank had to measure a standard 10 mm, plus one for wear. After the Belgian Grand Prix, Schumacherā€™s car clocked in at 7.4mm, 1.6 under tolerance leading to disqualification.

At the British GP, Schumacher’s team delayed serving a penalty, resulting in another inquiry and substantial fines. Schumacher was also banned for two races but still won the championship in 1995 before moving to Ferrari. Without him, Briatore struggled and was replaced by Dave Richards in 1997.

Return To Formula One

Flavio Briatore returned to F1 in 2000 as a manager to Spanish driver Fernando Alonso when Renault bought the Benetton F1 Team. Alonso first drove for Minardi. Later taking the role of test driver of Renault and soon took away the seat from Jenson Button at Renault itself. The Spaniard won two back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006.

Flavio Briatore Returns to Alpine in an Advisory Role
Flavio Briatore and Fernando Alonso at FIA prize giving ceremony

2008 saw one of the biggest controversies in the sport’s history, the infamous “CrashGate Scandal”.

In 2007, McLaren, pursued Flavio Briatore’s prized asset, while Briatore had a stable of drivers including Mark Webber and Nelson Piquet Jr, who underperformed for Renault and faced little loyalty. The major scandal that year, Spygate, involved McLaren possessing detailed Ferrari technical information. Briatore accused McLaren’s Ron Dennis, and although McLaren initially avoided punishment, new evidence from Fernando Alonso, unhappy at McLaren and outpaced by rookie Lewis Hamilton, led to a $100 million fine and exclusion from the constructors’ championship.

Alonso, managed by Briatore, returned to Renault after the season. Yet Renault themselves werenā€™t innocent in the Spygate scandal, as they had acquired information “including, but not limited to the layout and critical dimensions of the McLaren F1 car, together with details of the McLaren fuelling system, gear assembly, oil cooling system, hydraulic control system, and a novel suspension component used by the 2006 and 2007 McLaren F1 cars,” according to an FIA statement. Renault found guilty of having McLaren’s technical information, faced no penalties.

Taking aid from chief engineer Pat Symonds, Favio Briatore started planning the exact moment and turn at which Nelson Piquet Jr. would crash. This led to the deployment of a safety car, leading to Alonso winning the Singapore GP.

Flavio Briatore Returns to Alpine in an Advisory Role

Piquet Jr crashed in the 2008 Singapore GP.

Allegations of race fixing surfaced following Piquet’s contentious departure from Renault in 2009. The FIA charged Renault with conspiracy in September ’09 offering Piquet Jr. immunity in exchange for his testimony. Despite Briatore and Symonds threatening legal action against Piquet Jr., Renault eventually chose not to contest the charges. Both Flavio Briatore and Symonds left the team.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, Briatore continued to plead innocent. Nonetheless, the FIA imposed a lifetime ban on Briatore from all sanctioned events. They also barred any drivers he managed from obtaining a Superlicense, effectively ending his involvement in Formula 1. FIA showed leniency towards Renault for their swift action following the allegations. The team received a two-year probation with the condition that any similar future misconduct would result in a lifetime ban.

On January 5th, 2010 the French court overturned the ban and awarded Briatore ā‚¬15,000 in compensation. The FIA accepted the court’s decision and in April ’10 they announced a settlement with both. Both men agreed not to work in Formula One until 2013, or any other FIA-sanctioned championship until the end of 2011.

Despite the controversies that have defined his career, Flavio Briatore remains a polarizing figure in Formula One, now poised to influence Alpine’s trajectory in his new advisory role.

Read our preview of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix here

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Formula 1

Austrian GP Review: Lando Withers The Storm, Piastri Falls Short, Sauber Double Points

A scintillating Austrian GP brought out the best of our Championship Leaders. From Lando and Piastri’s tussle on track, Antonelli misjudges his braking zone and takes out Verstappen, Lawson P6, and Sauber, getting both cars in the points! The race in Spielberg had a lot to offer.

Published

17 hours ago

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July 5, 2025

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Austrian GP Review: Lando Withers The Storm, Piastri Falls Short, Sauber Double Points
Image Credit - McLaren


A scintillating Austrian GP brought out the best of our Championship Leaders. From Lando and Piastri’s tussle on track, Antonelli misjudges his braking zone and takes out Verstappen, Lawson P6, and Sauber, getting both cars in the points! The race in Spielberg had a lot to offer.

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McLaren Top The Charts

Austrian GP: Lando Norris
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 29: Race winner Lando Norris of Great Britain and McLaren celebrates on the podium with Champagne during the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 29, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)

Lando Norris scored a near-perfect weekend, topping every session he participated in. Formula 2 rookie Alexander Dunne got a taste of Formula 1 in FP1, setting a lap just two-tenths away from the top time that session.

Lando topped the sheets in Qualifying, landing him a clear road ahead for the start of the Austrian GP. Lando got away well at the beginning, maintaining his lead. A 21-lap-long attack from his teammate Piastri for the lead of the race was long and intense. It brought out the best that the Leaders had to offer, with no room for error; maintaining the lead was crucial for a strategic advantage.

Lando was holding off his teammate, giving him priority in the pit stops. Piastri employed an overcut strategy and attempted an attack on Lando in the dying stages of the Austrian GP. However, passing backmarkers who were in a battle of their own wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

At the line, the McLarens crossed the line P1 and P2, scoring maximum points for the team and making the WDC Battle a whole lot more interesting.


Ferrari Scores Valuable Points

The team in P2 of the Constructors scored big points on Sunday, with Charles Leclerc scoring P3 and Lewis Hamilton falling short of the podium in P4. However, it was not sunny days for the Scarlet Outfit. Once again, another miscommunication and strategy blunder by the Ferrari team ruled out any opportunity for Lewis to move up the field. With 20 laps to go in the race, Lewis Hamilton was on the Hard compound tires and wanted to run to the end on that set, possibly. Ferrari ignored that call and brought Lewis into the pits anyway.

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Two Sides Of The Coin for Mercedes

Rookie Kimi Antonelli got into trouble early on in the Austrian GP, misjudging the braking point in T3 and running into the back of Max Verstappen and ending both their races prematurely on Lap 1.

George Russell was our race winner last race weekend in Canada; however, this time, the package wasn’t present. He was 60s off the leading pair, finishing P5.

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Sauber Scores Double Points

For the first time in a while, Sauber dragged both their cars into the points, with Gabriel Bortoleto in P8 and Nico Hulkenberg in P9. The upgrade package seems to be working for Sauber.

Sauber has outscored Red Bull over the last 3 races. Sauber has scored 20 points, whereas Red Bull has scored 19.

Williams Faces Issues

Williams has not had the most incredible run of races in the most recent rounds. This round, however, was much worseā€”a double DNF for the prestigious British outfit. Carlos Sainz was on the back foot all weekend long. A stalled car on the formation lap was the cherry on top. Even though he was able to get the car running, an early retirement led to disappointment.
His teammate had no better luck, facing a DNF as well.


Other Notable Performances

Liam Lawson scores his best result of the season, earning a well-deserved P6 for the VCARB driver, which secures him some much-needed points.

Fernando Alonso crossed the line in P7, making it points scored in 4 consecutive races for the Spaniard. It was a massive comeback after what was considered his career-worst start to the season.

Esteban Ocon landed Haas a single point; a very well-run, under-the-radar race brings home a valuable point.

Austrian GP Results

Standings

Next Race In Silverstone

Its Lewis Hamilton’s first home race in red! He’ll be looking to continue his 11 year long record of finishing in the top 3 in Silverstone.
The WDC gap closes and gets tense.
Mercedes and Verstappen look for redemption.
Williams look for solid ground.

Desi Racing Co.Ā is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us onĀ Twitter/X,Ā Instagram, andĀ LinkedInĀ to keep up with the latest motorsport newsĀ andĀ updates.

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Formula 1

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview

After a short break Formula 1 is back in action, this time heading to the famed Red Bull Ring for the Austrian GP.

Published

1 week ago

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June 27, 2025

By

F1 during their visit to Red bull Ring in Austria in 2024
Credit: Red Bull Content Pool

As Formula 1 roars into the Styrian hills, the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix promises another action-packed weekend at the Red Bull Ring. Known for its short, high-speed layout and dramatic elevation changes, this classic Spielberg circuit has delivered thrilling battles in recent years. With championship stakes tightening, this year’s edition is set to be no different. From intense midfield rivalries to the fight at the front, all eyes are on how teams will tackle the high altitude challenge and whether any surprise contenders can shake up the grid ahead of Sundayā€™s race.

About The Track

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview

(Credit – f1.com)

The Red Bull Ring is a high-altitude, low-downforce circuit that places a premium on power unit output, braking performance, and traction. With only 10 corners and 3 long straights, itā€™s one of the most throttle-sensitive tracks on the calendar. Key overtaking zones come at Turns 1, 3, and 4, each preceded by a DRS zone and requiring strong stability under heavy braking. Elevation changes, particularly into Turns 1 and 3 (uphill) and Turn 4 (downhill), challenge both brake balance and weight transfer. The flowy middle sector tests aerodynamic efficiency, while the high-speed Turns 9 and 10 demand precise turn-in and rear-end grip. ERS deployment, tire temperatures, and traffic management are crucial on this short but intense lap.

Pirelli’s Specifications


Pirelli has selected the C3, C4 and C5 compounds for this race, as opposed to the C4, C5, and C6 compounds used at Canada.

Stories This Weekend

F1 Movie Release

The long-awaited F1 movie starring Brad Pitt and produced by Lewis Hamilton was finally released on the 27th of June. With mostly positive reviews, it seems to be worth a watch.



McLaren Look To Find Stability

After both the McLaren’s collided the last time around in Montreal, Lando Norris enters Austria with a disadvantage, being 20 points behind teammate Oscar Piastri. Lando will look to hit the ground running here, as his teammate will want to cement his WDC lead.



Max Verstappen Runs With Simon Rennie

This weekend, Max Verstappen’s adaptability will be put to the test. His race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will be absent for this race weekend due to personal reasons. Simon Rennie is given the position for this weekend, an opportunity to race engineer the 4-time World Champion.

Formula 1 Returns To Red Bull Ring: Weekend Preview
SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – JUNE 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in the Paddock prior to practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 27, 2025 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Antonelli Completes Schooling

Rookie Kimi Antonelli finished his schooling by passing his final exams in the 2 weeks off. This means that he can finally shift his full focus to racing and can also take part in post-race celebrations.



F1 Driver Dinner

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali took the F1 Grid out for dinner ahead of the Austrian GP.



Weekend Schedule



Weather Forecast

Friday: 26Ā°C, Wind 9 km/h, 55% chance of rain
Saturday: 29Ā°C, Wind 9 km/h, 5% chance of rain
Sunday: 31Ā°C, Wind 7 km/h, 1% chance of rain.

Temperatures are notably higher than usual for this weekend.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 22, 2025

By

George Russell celebrates after winning the Canadian Grand Prix
Credits: Lat Images

George Russell had a perfect weekend in Canada, scoring the pole position on Saturday and converting it into a win on Sunday. The joy was doubled for Mercedes as Kimi Antonelli scored his first podium, coming home in P3 and helping Mercedes get a double podium in Canada. The same can not be said for championship leaders McLaren, as the day everyone in the team feared arrived, Lando Norris made contact with Oscar Piastri, resulting in a DNF for Norris.

Read The Race Preview Here: Formula 1 Heads To Canada: What To Expect

Mercedes Score Big

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have had a dream race day in Canada, after Antonelli’s rut over the triple header where he did not score a single point, the 18-year-old rookie qualified P4 and overtook WDC Leader Oscar Piastri to take his first ever F1 Podium.

His teammate also kept his cool, after taking pole on Saturday and starting alongside Max Verstappen, George Russell had a challenge set up for him on Sunday. Early pressure from the Dutchman was applied, but Russell kept his marbles together. There was another late effort by Max, but ultimately, the Brit managed to take his first win in his 2025 campaign. Mercedes scored a very respectable double podium.

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli celebrate a double podium for Mercedes after the Canadian Grand Prix. Credit: Sonntag, Jiri Krenek

Title Rivals Collide

It was a sub-par qualifying for both the McLarens, with Oscar Piastri lining up P3, and Lando Norris lining up a disappointing P7. A new challenge awaited the pair on Sunday, with both Mercedes and Max being competitive enough, moving forward would not be as easy as it seemed.

Oscar was overtaken by Antonelli, dropping him to P4, and a recovering Lando Norris lined up P5, putting pressure on his teammate in the final 10 laps, on Lap 67, Lando got close to the rear wheel of his teammate and went for a gap on the inside wall of the Start-Finish straight, this move resulted in a DNF for Lando, losing him some very valuable points, and thankfully no harm was caused to his teammate, who was able to bring the car home in P4.

Verstappen Keeps His Nose Clean

Max Verstappen is just 1 penalty point away from a race ban, and in this race he almost got the final point when he was controversially brake-checked by George Russell under a late race Safety Car, a move that was protested after the race by Red Bull. But thankfully for Max, the FIA were understanding of the situation and decided not to take any action.

George Russell Takes The Flag At Canada, McLarens Collide, Antonelli On The Podium: Formula 1 in Montreal
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JUNE 15: Second placed Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing on the podium with his trophy during the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

Leclerc Debates Ferrari

Charles Leclerc had an underwhelming Qualifying, facing a challenge on Sunday. He, along with Lando, started on the hard compound tires. Notably, mid-race, when Leclerc was asked if he wanted to extend for a One-Stopper or come in for a Two-Stopper, Leclerc opted for the 1-Stop Strategy. A call that was later disregarded by his team, who brought him into the pits anyway for a tire change. It was a puzzling call from Ferrari, trying to secure an already guaranteed P6 position.

Lewis Hamilton, on the other side of the garage, ran a disadvantageous race. After running over a hedgehog early on in the race, damage was done to the floor, which lost him 30 points of downforce, reportedly worth 0.5s a lap; he did the best he could to score decent points.

Other Notable Performances

Fernando Alonso scored points for the second time this season, showing that the upgrades on his Aston Martin are effective. This is his second race in a row where he has scored points, finishing a notable P7 after an impressive Qualifying.

Nico Hulkenberg also utilises the upgrades on his car to propel himself to the top 10, and Sauber off the bottom of the WCC. Alpine are now last in the Constructors Championship, disappointing considering the start they had to the season.

The one-stop strategy rewarded both Esteban Ocon and Carlos Sainz, who finished P9 and P10, scoring a few points for the team, and solidifying their position in the Midfield.

Race Results



Standings

Next Race In Austria

Formula 1 has a 2-week break until their next outing at the Red Bull Ring in Austria, and the pressure is building on Lando Norris to bring home the results. Mercedes might be becoming a real contender now after their performances in Canada. A clean race by Verstappen, but he is still nearing a race ban due to the penalty points.

These are some of the considerations for the next outing on the 29th of June.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether itā€™s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, weā€™ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X/, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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