Flavio Briatore won’t be seen by F1’s governing physique as being the individual answerable for Alpine at this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The 75-year-old Italian can’t be workforce principal as a result of “he’s not a member of employees, and doesn’t maintain an F1 licence, as is required of individuals in such authority by the FIA’s competitor’s employees registration system”, BBC Sport report.
Briatore is employed by Alpine’s dad or mum firm Renault on a consultancy foundation, having returned to the Enstone-based squad final yr when he was named as government advisor.
Whereas Briatore is the de facto boss of the Alpine F1 workforce following the sudden departure of workforce principal Oliver Oakes following the Miami Grand Prix, he gained’t be answerable for the workforce within the eyes of the FIA.
After Oakes’ shock resignation for private causes, Alpine mentioned Briatore could be “overlaying the duties beforehand carried out” by the Briton.
Alpine have knowledgeable BBC Sport that racing director Dave Greenwood would be the “devoted accountable individual” within the absence of a brand new workforce principal being formally named.
When questioned why Briatore just isn’t a employees member or licence holder, an Alpine spokesperson advised BBC Sport: “Flavio got here into the workforce as government adviser and stays a advisor. There’s nothing extra to it, or to learn into it.”
Alpine racing director Dave Greenwood
In the meantime, an FIA spokesperson mentioned: “Alpine have complied with all regulatory necessities referring to the departure of Mr Oakes, and have submitted their up to date employees registration.
“We imagine it’s all the way down to Alpine to supply an replace on their administration construction so we won’t touch upon any particular individual holding a certificates of registration.”
Briatore’s return to F1 final yr was controversial as a result of he obtained a lifetime ban for his involvement in fixing the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
He was a part of the “Crashgate” scandal which noticed his driver Nelson Piquet Jr intentionally crash to trigger a Security Automotive which helped Renault teammate Fernando Alonso win the race.
However Briatore’s lifetime ban from F1 was overturned by a French court docket, paving the way in which for his comeback in Could 2024.
No rift between Briatore and Oakes
Briatore dismissed hypothesis that Oakes’ exit was brought on by a disagreement between the pair over Alpine’s brutal choice to interchange Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto for the subsequent 5 races.
“So much has been mentioned incorrectly associating the choice of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement, or that we shared completely different views. That is fully false and much from the reality,” Briatore mentioned in an announcement posted on his Instagram account.
“Me and Oli have an excellent relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this workforce ahead collectively.
“We settle for Oli’s request to resign and have subsequently accepted his resignation.
“The explanations will not be associated to the workforce and are of a private nature.
“I’ll proceed to be increasingly concerned with the workforce, along with the robust administration we have already got in place.
“We’ll work exhausting on bettering our place this season and making ready for 2026.”
