As reported on BBC SPORT

“Flavio was never keen for me to go to Williams and I know I made a costly mistake by not listening to him,” said Mark Webber. “He was very keen for me to go to Red Bull next season, so I wasn’t going to ignore his advice a second time

Reminiscing on his time at Williams, Webber told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I think it’s fairly safe to say I won’t be looking back with any fond memories. When I signed with the team, I was hoping to stay at Williams for a long, long time, but it wasn’t to be. Frank (Williams) will probably look back at me and think it wasn’t successful either.”

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Williams . Red Bull Racing . Mark Webber . Flavio Briatore . Sir Frank Williams

As reported on homeofsport

Renault boss Flavio Briatore confirmed this week that Fernando Alonso’s car will not be fitted in Brazil with the team’s latest specification of V8 engine. The French squad announced on Monday that the championship leader’s teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, is to enjoy the new ‘e-spec’ engine, which is rumored to boast a one to two-tenth per lap advantage over its predecessor.

“We are going a bit safer with Fernando,” broadcaster RTL quoted Briatore as saying. Despite the more cautious preparation, though, the 56-year-old chief insisted that Alonso and the team have been instructed to win Sunday’s race in Sao Paulo. He said: “It’s like in soccer, if you go looking for a draw then you usually lose the match.”

Well, we tried to provide them a helping hand by letting them know the name of the most “Reliable” car around in India, didn’t we ? I only hope that they don’t take it too safe in one hand [Alonso] and too attacking on the other [Giancarlo]. Racing a new spec engine at the last race of the season where the title is still in a cliff-hanger situation sound just a bit too heroic. But we are sure Renault must be having full faith in their QC department.

Related Articles:

• Renault plan ultra-reliable V8 for Brazil « The Unofficial Formula 1 Blog [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Fernando Alonso . Giancarlo Fisichella . Flavio Briatore . Engines . Interlagos

As reported on autosport.com

“I talked with Fernando and Fisichella yesterday,” said Briatore. “Sometimes we talk about frustration, pressure and this and that, it happens. But I don’t think there is any problem at all. Maybe it gives us some more motivation for this weekend.”

“On Sunday, in China, I don’t think the (second) pitstop had any influence to the race. It looked bad, but overtaking on the circuit is impossible. You never know, though. We lost ten points in Budapest, this was really the reality.”

Briatore does believe, however, that Alonso was wrong to think that Fisichella should have helped him out more in China last weekend, when he was struggling with his new intermediate tyres.

The more appropriate headline should have been “Briatore tried to talk some sense in Alonso” ! Whether he succeeded or not, we’ll come to know in just few days time.

Related Article

• Renault reshuffle their pitstop crew [Internal]
• Renault don’t want me to win UPDATE [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Fernando Alonso . Giancarlo Fisichella . Flavio Briatore . Shanghai

We have been very keenly following the comments on two posts, Alonso’s keen to spoil Schu’s retirement party and Poll: In Monaco qualifying, did Schumi stopped deliberately ?. And there are allegations and cross-allegations flying every where.

The point that we saw in all the controversies was that there was no details available from FIA or any of the teams/drivers involved. Yes, we know that this has been the case for a long while now, but given the current storm the sport is facing, everything should be much more transparent.

If we take the Monaco incident, All Ferrari said was that they provided the telemetry data to FIA to go though & they tried to clear the doubts but stewards never listened. FIA on their part slapped the penalty. And all that remained after that were the unanswered question. What did the telemetry data showed that prompted FIA to slap the penalty ? What was Ferrari trying to tell the stewards ? Fast forward to Monza, and the same questions again crop up and again no answers were provided by FIA, except the stupid rule being changed.

But there was much more hue-and-cry this time because, first, Fernando Alonso is trying to retain his championship in a car that suddenly seems slower than Ferrari’s & McLaren’s and secondly because unlike Jean Todt & Michael Schumacher, Flavio Briatore & Fernando Alonso decided to be much more vocal about it [and in this process questioning the Formula-1 in itself, which even we believe was totally uncalled for].

The other problem has been that the people [FIA] who should be giving answers to the questions are the one who try to create more instability. Bernie Ecclestone & Max Mosely does not seems to be on the same page anymore, most of the time both are giving contradictory statements, if Max comes out in support of something, you can be sure Bernie will oppose it [most of the time].

The solution [again as we see it] is in fact very simple. First, make Formula-1 more transparent and provide complete data in support of the decisions that are taken. Second, all teams & drivers should be asked to issue a informal statement regarding the decision. Third [and most important], ask Bernie & Mad Max to think before they issue a statement, they are doing more harm than good to the sports, or take a step forward and ask both of them to retire and let young blood take Formula-1 to new heights.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . FIA . Ferrari . Renault . Mercedes-McLaren . Fernando Alonso . Michael Schumacher . Bernie Ecclestone . Max Mosely . Jean Todt . Flavio Briatore . controversies . Stewards . Monaco . Monza

As reported on autosport.com

The FIA has decided that there is no need to take action against Flavio Briatore over the controversial comments he made after the Italian Grand Prix, autosport.com has learned that following a statement issued by Briatore claiming that his comments had been said as a joke, and then an interview he did the week after Monza to express his full faith in the governance of the sport, the matter has now had a line drawn underneath it.

“Both let their emotions get to them,” said FIA President Max Mosley. “In the heat of the moment they said some impulsive stuff. Considering the circumstances, sometimes you need to be tolerant.” He said: “I think on some occasions Flavio spoke in an over-excited manner. But, to be fair with him, he subsequently and promptly corrected his quotes.”

Very convenient. Say something really serious, then back-track from it saying it was “misinterpreted” and you are scott-free !

• Furious Briatore vows to fight against odds: UPDATE [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . FIA . Renault . Fernando Alonso . Flavio Briatore . Max Mosely . Monza

As reported on autosport

In a joint statement released today, Renault F1 team president Alain Dassas and the team’s managing director Flavio Briatore commented: “It is positive for Formula One to have another team racing with a top-line, competitive engine, and this agreement will also reinforce Renault’s presence in the sport. We look forward to working with a dynamic, ambitious company such as Red Bull.”

Red Bull have yet to notify Renault which of their two teams, Red Bull Racing or Toro Rosso, will use the French engine.

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Red Bull . Toro Rosso . engine . Alain Dassas . Flavio Briatore

As reported on F1Racing.net

Ecclestone would prefer to keep Schumacher for another year or two in Formula One. “I would prefer not to say goodbye,” he commented. “With his ability and his fitness Schumacher has at least two more years in him to race in Formula 1,” Ecclestone told Bild. Renault F1 team boss Flavio Briatore wasn’t that sad to see Schumacher go but Ecclestone doesn’t buy it. “I know that Renault would take him right away,” he said.

So what do you think ? Will Schumacher have a change-of-heart and move to Renault ?

Related Articles:

• Schumacher looking forward to doing nothing [Internal]
• Michael Schumacher to retire [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Bernie Ecclestone . Michael Schumacher . Flavio Briatore

As reported on f1racing.net

A fuming Flavio Briatore vowed to fight against the odds and beat a ‘lucky’ Michael Schumacher to the championship. The Renault team boss also took the opportunity to blast F1 authorities for what he branded ‘interference’ beyond the sporting nature of F1.

“Fernando’s still in front and when we talk about the sport, the engine failure is just part of the sport we accept it,” Briatore said. “The other stuff, the interference in the sport is something we don’t accept. We go to China and we’ll fight as the sport, but we can’t do anything about that other stuff, the interference” he added.

Well, he and Alonso does have all the right in the world to be furious. It was indeed one of the most dubious decisions by the race stewards, something that even we didn’t believe in !

UPDATE

As reported on feedmef1.com

in a statement provided by the Renault press office, the team intimated that the media’s ‘reporting’ of the comments was at fault. Briatore is quoted as saying: ”These comments … have been completely taken out of context. ”A jokey remark has been turned into something it was not intended to be.”

Fernando Alonso said at Monza on Sunday evening: ”Now that Michael has announced his retirement, it is clear what they are trying to make happen.”

Related Article

• Alonso loses 5 grid positions [Internal]
• The F1 Pit Box: Are Renault Bad Losers? [External]

As reported on BBC.co.uk

“In 2008, I will delegate my appointment to someone else and I will stay away from the spotlight,” Briatore told Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I was pushed to carry on for two reasons,” he added. “First, the fact that Renault’s new president Carlos Ghosn is fully behind the F1 project. Second, the team will lose Fernando Alonso, so I preferred to give continuity to the work.”

“When Fernando decided last winter, Renault was changing president and there were no guarantees on the future,” he said. Alonso wasn’t feeling valued properly so he accepted a proposal. I don’t step in over the choices of the drivers I manage – I only take care of their contracts and sponsors.”

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Fernando Alonso . Flavio Briatore . Carlos Ghosn . sponsors

As reported on SportingLife

Heikki Kovalainen will race for Renault next season under the guidance of Flavio Briatore, who has extended his deal to run the team.

Briatoresaid: “I am delighted to continue to lead Renault’s Formula One challenge. It is now important for the Renault team to begin a fresh cycle of development from 2007, with a reinvigorated driver line-up and several major new commercial partners. This is the key to performing at the top level in the medium and long term.”

Kovalainen said: “My two seasons testing for the team, as well as my time in GP2, have allowed me to build my technical knowledge and to understand what it takes to win in Formula One. I think next year is a new start for me. There will be high expectations straight away, but I will not look at it as extra pressure.

Does it put an end to all the speculations ?? I think so !!

Related Article:

• Piquet set to replace Kovalainen at Renault [Internal]
• Fisichella: Finnish driver to replace Alonso [Internal]

TAGS: Formula 1 . F1 . Renault . Flavio Briatore . Heikki Kovalainen