‘Flavio Briatore: F1 mastermind, talent scout, scandal magnet.’
From turning Benetton and Renault into champions to orchestrating Crashgate, his career is a mix of brilliance and controversy.
The man went from selling clothes to winning F1 titles and got banned for life (which didn’t last).
Love him or loathe him, Briatore made F1 far more interesting.
Let’s dive in.
From Fashion to Fast Cars
Briatore started in fashion and nightclubs before Benetton parachuted him into F1 in 1988—with zero motorsport experience.
Somehow, he transformed Benetton into a title-winning team by 1994.
• Michael Schumacher’s Breakthrough
Briatore signed a young Schumacher in 1991, helping him win back-to-back F1 titles in 1994 and 1995.
It was when Briatore perfected his ‘find a future champion and make them king’ strategy.
• Renault’s Alonso Era
After Benetton rebranded as Renault, Briatore led the team to two F1 titles (2005 and 2006) with Fernando Alonso — ending Ferrari’s reign.
• The Crashgate Scandal (2008)
At the Singapore GP, Briatore’s team ordered Nelson Piquet Jr. to crash — manipulating the race so Alonso could win.
The FIA banned Briatore for life… which he later got overturned.
• The Lavish Lifestyle
Briatore’s wealth rivals his controversies — yachts, private jets, and supermodel exes (including Naomi Campbell).
He owns the ‘Billionaire’ brand, luxury resorts, and high-end restaurants for the ultra-rich.
• Final Thought
Briatore was ruthless, brilliant, and utterly shameless. He built champions, broke rules, and lived like a Bond villain.
F1 may have been cleaner without him—but it was certainly less fun.
Welcome back, Flavio.
‘Flavio treated F1 like a nightclub — exclusive, expensive, and full of questionable decisions.’
