View source for Flavio Briatore

{{Short description|Italian businessman (born 1950)}}
{{pp|small=yes}} 
{{EngvarB|date=May 2024}} 
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Flavio Briatore
| image       = Briatore 66ème Festival de Venise (Mostra) - cropped.jpg
| alt         =
| caption     = Briatore in 2009
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1950|4|12}}
| birth_place = [[Verzuolo]], Italy
| occupation  = Businessman
| spouse      = {{marriage|[[Elisabetta Gregoraci]]|2008|2017|end=separated}}
| children    = 2
}}

'''Flavio Briatore''' ({{IPA|it|ˈflaːvjo bri.aˈtoːre|lang}}; born 12 April 1950) is an Italian businessman,<!-- Per MOS:CRIMINAL, Briatore's criminal convictions are not the primary source of his notability and should not be in the first sentence, although they can be mentioned elsewhere in the lede (and they are). --> who serves as executive adviser and ''[[de facto]]'' team principal of [[Alpine F1 Team|Alpine]] in [[Formula One]]. As the longtime team principal of [[Team Enstone]] ([[Benetton Formula]] / [[Renault in Formula One|Renault F1 Team]]), Briatore led the team to three World Constructors' Championship and four World Drivers' Championship victories. However, he was dogged by allegations of cheating, including the [[Allegations of cheating during the 1994 Formula One World Championship|1994 "Launch Control" controversy]] and the [[2007 Formula One espionage controversy|2007 "Spygate" affair]], although in both cases his teams escaped penalties. He was forced out of Renault and received a lifetime ban from F1 after the [[Renault Formula One crash controversy|2008 "Crashgate" scandal]], although a French court subsequently overturned the ban. Fifteen years later, he returned to the Enstone team, which currently operates as Alpine F1.

Briatore started his career as a restaurant manager and insurance salesman in Italy. He was convicted in Italy on several fraud charges in the 1980s, receiving two prison sentences, though the convictions were later extinguished by an amnesty. He spent several years as a fugitive in the [[Virgin Islands]] and the United States, where he set up several [[United Colors of Benetton]] franchises, paving the way for his role at Benetton's F1 team. From 2007 to 2011, he was part-owner and chairman of English association football team [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]].

== Early life, convictions, and exile ==
Briatore was born in [[Verzuolo]] near [[Cuneo]] in the [[Maritime Alps]]. His parents were school teachers.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Elson |first=James |date=2025-05-07 |title=Flavio Briatore: from fraudster to fashion executive to F1 boss |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/flavio-briatore-from-fraudster-to-fashion-executive-to-f1-boss/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> After twice failing public (state) school, he attended Fassino di Busca, a private (independent) school, receiving a diploma with the lowest grades in Land Surveying.<ref name="repubblica.it"/><ref name=":16">{{Cite news |last=Rushton |first=Susie |date=2008-09-23 |title=La Dolce Vita: What really drives Flavio Briatore? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/la-dolce-vita-what-really-drives-flavio-briatore-938708.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

=== Early business career ===
Briatore found early work as a ski instructor and restaurant manager.<ref name=":16" /> He opened a restaurant named ''Tribüla'', which was his own nickname. (The term ''Tribüla'' refers to "a restless character who will do almost anything to get what he wants." Briatore admitted that the name fit him well.<ref name=":6" />) The restaurant was unsuccessful and had to close due to excessive debt.<ref>[http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/09/18/mezzi-flop-inchieste-radiazioni-ma-briatore-insegna-in-tv-successo-e-etica/356529/ The Apprentice: flop, inchieste, radiazioni, ma Briatore insegna successo e etica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122061347/http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2012/09/18/mezzi-flop-inchieste-radiazioni-ma-briatore-insegna-in-tv-successo-e-etica/356529/|date=22 November 2012}} [[Il Fatto Quotidiano]] {{in lang|it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://espresso.repubblica.it/attualita/cronaca/2010/11/08/news/la-vera-vita-di-mr-billionaire-1.25623|title=La vera vita di Mr Billionaire|date=8 November 2010|website=l'Espresso|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-date=16 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916010812/http://espresso.repubblica.it/attualita/cronaca/2010/11/08/news/la-vera-vita-di-mr-billionaire-1.25623|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 1970s, Briatore moved to [[Cuneo]] and became an assistant to businessman Attilio Dutto, owner of the Paramatti Vernici paint company.<ref name=":6" /> Dutto was killed on 21 March 1979 in a car bomb attack by an unknown perpetrator.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/sep/17/flavio-briatore-renault-formula-one|title=Flavio Briatore undone by the charisma that powered his rise|last=Williams|first=Richard|date=17 September 2009|work=guardian.co.uk|access-date=11 December 2009 | location=London}}</ref> Briatore then moved to [[Milan]] and worked for Finanziaria Generale Italia at the [[Borsa Italiana|Italian stock exchange]].<ref name=":16" /> 

While working in Milan, Briatore met [[Luciano Benetton]], founder of the [[Benetton Group|Benetton]] clothing company.{{Cn|date=May 2025}} When Benetton expanded to the United States in 1979, he appointed Briatore to lead the group's American operations.<ref name=":16" />

=== Convictions and fugitive years ===
In the 1980s, Briatore was convicted of multiple counts of fraud and received two prison sentences.<ref name="repubblica.it">[http://www.repubblica.it/2005/j/formulauno/flabriato/flabriato/flabriato.html Flavio Briatore si racconta] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071121143105/http://www.repubblica.it/2005/j/formulauno/flabriato/flabriato/flabriato.html |date=21 November 2007 }} [[La Repubblica]], by DARIO CRESTO-DINA, 16 October 2005 {{in lang|it}}</ref><ref name="independent.co.uk">[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/la-dolce-vita-what-really-drives-flavio-briatore-938708.html La Dolce Vita: What really drives Flavio Briatore?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207190054/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/la-dolce-vita-what-really-drives-flavio-briatore-938708.html |date=7 February 2018 }} ''[[The Independent]]'', Tuesday 23 September 2008, Susie Rushton</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.romaexplorer.it/divertimento-online/gossip_celebrita/gossip_news/flavio_briatore.htm|title=FLAVIO BRIATORE: BIOGRAFIA – Roma Explorer|access-date=23 November 2009|archive-date=23 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923150432/http://www.romaexplorer.it/divertimento-online/gossip_celebrita/gossip_news/flavio_briatore.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Arrestato Briatore">[http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/agosto/27/Arrestato_Briatore_giallo_Kenia_co_0_9908271930.shtml Arrestato Briatore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610011839/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/agosto/27/Arrestato_Briatore_giallo_Kenia_co_0_9908271930.shtml |date=10 June 2011 }}, [[Corriere della Sera]], 27 August 1999 {{in lang|it}}</ref> In 1984, a court in Bergamo found him guilty of fraud arising from the collapse of Milan's ''Compagnia Generale Industriale''.<ref name=":6" /> It sentenced him to a prison term of one year and six months (reduced to one year on appeal), as well as a fine.<ref name="independent.co.uk" /><ref name="Brescia">{{cite report | title = La Corte d'Appello di Brescia | date = 22 March 1988| id = N. 579/85 del Reg. Gen. App}}{{in lang|it}}</ref> In 1986, a court in Milan found Briatore guilty of fraud and conspiracy; he helped a ring of [[confidence trick]]sters that recruited gamblers to play rigged card games. He received a three-year sentence (reduced to one year and two months on appeal).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1986/11/28/un-anno-10-mesi-fede-per-le.html|title=UN ANNO E 10 MESI A FEDE PER LE BISCHE CLANDESTINE|work=[[La Repubblica]]|author=ENRICO BONERANDI|date=28 November 1986|page=16|language=it|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-date=4 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604235529/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1986/11/28/un-anno-10-mesi-fede-per-le.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Milan">{{cite report | title = La Corte d'Appello di Milano| date = 13 November 1987| id = N. 1930/87 del Reg. Gen. App}}{{in lang|it}}</ref>

To avoid imprisonment, Briatore fled the country and lived as a fugitive in [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]], Virgin Islands.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1984/05/10/bische-clandestine-bergamo-trema.html|title=BISCHE CLANDESTINE, BERGAMO TREMA|work=[[La Repubblica]]|author=LEONARDO COEN|date=10 May 1984|page=13|language=it|access-date=9 December 2011|archive-date=4 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604235457/http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1984/05/10/bische-clandestine-bergamo-trema.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He did not return to the EU until his convictions were extinguished by amnesty.<ref>[http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/agosto/27/Arrestato_Briatore_giallo_Kenia_co_0_9908271930.shtml Arrestato Briatore, Corriere della Sera] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610011839/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/1999/agosto/27/Arrestato_Briatore_giallo_Kenia_co_0_9908271930.shtml |date=10 June 2011 }} {{in lang|it}}</ref><ref name="fatto">G. Barbacetto, ''Briatore. Finito contro un muro'', in [[Il Fatto Quotidiano]] 27 September 2009, p. 14. {{in lang|it}}</ref> In 2010, a Turin court ordered Briatore rehabilitated, which by Italian Criminal Code results in the extinction "of any criminal effect of the conviction".<ref name="Turin">{{cite report | title = Il Tribunale Di Sorveglianza per il distretto della Corte di Appello di Torino| date = 9 March 2010 | id = Ordinanza 1029/10}}{{in lang|it}}</ref>

In 1999, the ''[[Corriere della Sera]]'' reported that Briatore had been arrested in [[Nairobi]] on suspicion of fraud relating to real estate in [[Kenya]].<ref name="Arrestato Briatore" /> Briatore successfully sued the newspaper for [[libel]] and received compensation.{{Cn|date=May 2025}}

=== Life in exile ===
During his exile, Briatore continued working for Benetton. By 1989, there were 800 Benetton stores in the United States,<ref name=":6" /> which was attributed to Benetton and Briatore's franchising methods. Briatore became very wealthy, as he received a cut of every franchising agreement. Briatore also opened some Benetton stores in the Virgin Islands. However, store operators complained that Benetton sold too many franchises, which created excessive competition.<ref name="briatoref1fbio">{{cite web | title = Who's Who: Flavio Briatore | publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk | year = 2007 | url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/whos-who/whos-who-b/flavio-briatore/ | access-date = 18 August 2007 | archive-date = 22 July 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090722154146/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/f1-information/whos-who/whos-who-b/flavio-briatore/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

== Formula One ==
===Benetton Formula===
[[File:Walkinshaw Briatore British GP 1993.jpg|thumb|Briatore (right) with [[Tom Walkinshaw]] at the [[1993 British Grand Prix]]]]
In {{F1|1985}}, the [[Benetton family]] purchased Formula One team [[Toleman Motorsport]], which it then renamed to [[Benetton Formula]]. At first, Briatore (who was not interested in auto racing) was not involved with the team.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Damien |date=2023-10-02 |title=Benetton: when F1 was in fashion |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-2023/96/benetton-when-f1-was-in-fashion/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> He did not attend a race until the [[1988 Australian Grand Prix]].<ref name=":6" /> However, in 1989, the Benetton family reassigned him to manage the team's commercial operations.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Tremayne |first=David |date=April 1994 |title=Flavio Briatore in 1994: F1's mystery man |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/april-1994/13/who-is/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> He assumed full control of the team in 1991,<ref name=":9" /> and eventually acquired a 30% personal stake in the team.<ref name=":8" />

Under Briatore's leadership, "the rebel F1 team became a part of the establishment" and won three world championships.<ref name=":32" /> ''The Independent'' wrote that Briatore's "cut-throat tactics" and commercial savvy "helped [] push F1 towards its current hyper-commercial state."<ref name=":16" /> Briatore aggressively brainstormed ideas to improve the level of competition in Formula One, including starting races in reverse grid position after qualifying<ref name=":9" /> and sending out a pace car to artificially restrain front-runners who were more than 12 seconds in front.<ref name=":10" />

However, Briatore angered members of the Formula One establishment, in part for his vocal opposition to the upward trend of costs in Formula One. In {{F1|1993}} he used his leverage to force the then-dominant [[Williams Racing|Williams]] team to agree to limits on engine changes and qualifying procedures.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=March 1993 |title=Diary |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/march-1993/4/diary-3/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> Williams had blown a deadline to file its entry paperwork for the 1993 season,<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |last=Allsop |first=Derek |date=1993-01-23 |title=Motor Racing: EC rule to rescue Williams |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/motor-racing-ec-rule-to-rescue-williams-1480390.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=The Independent}}</ref> and Briatore (all team principals had a veto) refused to let Williams compete in 1993 until [[Frank Williams (Formula One)|Frank Williams]] "listen[ed] to [him]" on costs. The move was deemed "grossly unsporting" at the time, but Briatore's position ultimately won out.<ref name=":11" /> Led by [[Alain Prost]], Williams won a double world championship that year.

==== Building a team ====
Briatore's skills lay primarily on the commercial side of the sport, and he reportedly "revelled in his technical ignorance of F1" from day one.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Damien |date=2024-06-21 |title=Flavio Briatore is just what Alpine needs — even if hire is hypocritical |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/flavio-briatore-is-just-what-alpine-needs-even-if-hire-is-hypocritical/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> Even so, he built a "super team" of talented engineers at Benetton.<ref name=":6" /> He started by hiring celebrated chassis designer [[John Barnard]], but existing designers [[Rory Byrne]] and [[Pat Symonds]] disliked working with Barnard.<ref name=":6" /> In 1990, Byrne, Symonds, and 11 other engineers quit en masse to join the abortive [[Adrian Reynard]] F1 project.<ref name=":7" /> To Symonds' surprise, Briatore stayed on good terms with him and Byrne, and convinced them to return at the end of the {{F1|1991}} season; Barnard was fired.<ref name=":7" /> Briatore also hired [[Tom Walkinshaw]] and [[Ross Brawn]].<ref name=":6" /> In 1992, the team moved to a new facility at [[Enstone, Oxfordshire]], where it remains to this day.<ref name="Motor Sport magazine Benetton Alpine March 2023">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Damien |date=1 March 2023 |title='Back to old Benetton' — can Alpine avoid mediocre history repeating? |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/will-alpine-follow-familiar-enstone-road-or-tread-f1-water/?v=79cba1185463 |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=[[Motor Sport magazine]]}}</ref>

Briatore also became famous for his "hard-nosed" approach to hiring and firing drivers; ''[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]'' noted that over the years, "[[Johnny Herbert]], [[Martin Brundle]], [[Jos Verstappen]], [[JJ Lehto]] and [[Jarno Trulli]] all felt the full force" of Briatore's wrath.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" />

==== Recruiting Schumacher ====
Briatore lured rookie driver [[Michael Schumacher]] from the [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]] team after his first F1 race in {{F1|1991}}''. [[The Times]]'' observed that Briatore knew Schumacher could be the best and built a team around him at Benetton.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eason |first=Kevin |date=9 September 2005 |title=Alonso making life cheap and cheerful for his paymaster |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/formula-one/article/alonso-making-life-cheap-and-cheerful-for-his-paymaster-dt6s3srsbtc |access-date=2 May 2010 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The circumstances of Schumacher's move were controversial. Reportedly, Schumacher had signed a letter of intent to sign "a contract" with Jordan for 1991 to 1993, but once Briatore grew interested, Benetton and Schumacher's management interpreted the letter as allowing Schumacher to satisfy his obligation to Jordan with non-racing contracts. Briatore won a legal battle with Jordan, allowing him to sign the German. Briatore also ousted Benetton driver [[Roberto Moreno]] to make room for Schumacher, arguing that Benetton's deal with Moreno only obliged Briatore to supply him with a chassis, not an engine. Moreno eventually accepted a buyout. According to Briatore, Moreno's teammate [[Nelson Piquet]] was so upset by Briatore's treatment of Moreno that he temporarily quit the team, and [[Ayrton Senna]] also criticized Briatore's actions. Briatore convinced Piquet to return by threatening to replace him with [[Alex Zanardi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suttill |first=Josh |date=2021-09-19 |title=How Schumacher was snatched from Jordan after his F1 debut |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/how-schumacher-was-snatched-from-jordan-after-his-f1-debut/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref>

Briatore subsequently enraged Schumacher by violating a clause in the German's contract mandating that Benetton had to match the salary paid to any driver besides Senna, [[Alain Prost]], or [[Nigel Mansell]]. Briatore gave [[Riccardo Patrese]] a $3 million contract for the [[1993 Formula One World Championship|1993 season]], which exceeded Schumacher's $2 million salary, but did not tell Schumacher about it. Reportedly, Patrese disclosed his salary to [[McLaren]]'s [[Ron Dennis]], who leaked the information to Schumacher's camp. Using Briatore's duplicity as leverage, Schumacher negotiated a significant raise for the 1994 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beer |first=Matt |date=2023-07-05 |title=Schumacher's McLaren chance evokes a great F1 'what if' |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/schumachers-mclaren-chance-evokes-a-great-f1-what-if/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Beer |first=Matt |date=2021-07-15 |title=Bring Back V10s: How Schumacher's Ferrari move rocked F1 |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/bring-back-v10s-how-schumachers-ferrari-move-rocked-f1/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Race |language=en}}</ref>

==== Titles and cheating allegations ====
{{Main|Allegations of cheating during the 1994 Formula One World Championship}}
As the team improved, Schumacher won two races in {{F1|1992}} and {{F1|1993}}, and claimed the [[List of Formula One World Constructors' Champions|World Drivers' Championship]] in {{F1|1994}} and {{F1|1995}}.

During the {{F1|1994}} season, Benetton was accused of multiple forms of cheating. Although Formula One had banned electronic driver aids ahead of the 1994 season, it was later revealed that Benetton's cars had retained illegal software, although it remains disputed whether Benetton ever used it. Benetton's second driver, [[Jos Verstappen]], claimed that Briatore knew about the software and encouraged him to "not talk about it."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-06 |title=Formula One: Schumacher's 1994 car illegal, claims former teammate Verstappen |url=https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a1987226/formula-one-schumachers-1994-car-illegal-claims-former-teammate-verstappen/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Autoweek |language=en-US}}</ref> In addition, an investigation into a fire during a Verstappen pit stop revealed that Benetton had discarded a regulation fuel filter to speed up its pit stops, although Briatore escaped punishment after pointing out that multiple teams had done the same thing.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Flavio Briatore: The Teflon Don of Formula One |url=https://www.rushmagazine.co.uk/post/flavio-briatore-the-teflon-don-of-formula-one |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Rush Magazine |language=en}}</ref> Schumacher received a two-race ban for ignoring a black flag (under instructions from the team) at the {{F1 GP|1994|British}},<ref name=":3" /> and controversially clinched his first title by [[Schumacher-Hill collision|crashing into his closest competitor]] at the {{F1 GP|1994|Australian}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kisby |first=Cambridge |date=2024-03-21 |title=Mansell's last F1 win: after Hill & Schumacher crashed in 1994 Australian GP |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/mansells-last-f1-win-after-hill-schumacher-crashed-in-1994-australian-gp/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Following Schumacher's 1994 title season, Ferrari's [[Umberto Agnelli]] offered Briatore a job at the Scuderia, but Briatore declined, citing his ownership stake in Benetton.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=31 December 2019 |title=Flavio Briatore rivela: Ho detto no alla Ferrari per ben due volte! |url=https://www.circusf1.com/2019/12/flavio-briatore-rivela-ho-detto-no-alla-ferrari-per-ben-due-volte.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204202618/https://www.circusf1.com/2019/12/flavio-briatore-rivela-ho-detto-no-alla-ferrari-per-ben-due-volte.php |archive-date=4 December 2022 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=Circus F1}}</ref> Instead, Briatore upgraded Benetton further by buying the [[Equipe Ligier|Ligier]] team—one of the only Formula One teams with a contract for the dominant [[Renault in Formula One|Renault engines]]—and transferring its Renault contract to Benetton.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=Prost takes over Ligier... |url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/prost-takes-over-ligier.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.grandprix.com}}</ref> (Briatore was not the only person with this idea: [[McLaren]]'s [[Ron Dennis]] and [[Mansour Ojjeh]] had previously sought to buy Ligier because their star driver, Ayrton Senna, wanted a better engine.<ref name=":42">{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Adam |date=2021-02-09 |title=When Senna signed a race-by-race deal for $1m per race |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/when-senna-signed-a-race-by-race-deal-for-1m-per-race-5477619/5477619/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |work=Autosport}}</ref>) With Renault power, Benetton won the 1995 Constructors' Championship, and Schumacher defended his Drivers' Championship. Byrne and Symonds claimed that their 1995 victory vindicated them after the accusations of 1994.<ref name=":32" />

==== Ligier ====
The Ligier-Benetton partnership was brief but occasionally successful. Briatore hoped to turn Ligier into Benetton's B-team, reasoning that the two teams could pool costs, share parts, and save money.<ref name=":9" /> He stripped Ligier of its Renault engines but transferred several Benetton personnel to the French team, including Tom Walkinshaw and [[Frank Dernie]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=...but what happens to Ligier? |url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/but-what-happens-to-ligier.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.grandprix.com}}</ref> When Ligier unveiled its 1995 car, the racing press mocked it as a copy of Benetton's. Benetton aerodynamicist [[Willem Toet]] accused his own team of violating Formula One's information sharing rules and later said that it was one of the reasons why he left for Ferrari, but Dernie defended his actions, arguing that [[Williams Racing|Williams]] and [[McLaren]] had also copied Benetton's chassis.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2018-11-01 |title=The Day Schumacher Drove a Ligier |url=https://www.unracedf1.com/day-schumacher-drove-a-ligier/ |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=UnracedF1.com |language=}}</ref>

The team collected one win under Briatore, when [[Olivier Panis]] won the [[1996 Monaco Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prost Grand Prix |url=https://www.f1technical.net/f1db/teams/91 |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=F1technical.net}}</ref> However, the team began to stagnate; Walkinshaw left the team for [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]], taking [[Pedro Diniz]] (and his hefty [[Parmalat]] backing) with him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prost and Ligier |url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/prost-and-ligier-2.html |access-date=2025-05-19 |website=www.grandprix.com}}</ref> French president [[Jacques Chirac]] pressured Briatore to sell the team to a Frenchman, and [[Alain Prost]] ([[Prost Grand Prix]]) bought the team ahead of the {{F1|1997}} season.<ref name=":12" />

==== First departure from Enstone ====
Schumacher left for [[Scuderia Ferrari]] before the {{F1|1996}} season, and lured Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn to Maranello at the end of the year.<ref name="Motor Sport magazine Benetton Alpine March 2023" /> Briatore retaliated by signing Ferrari's drivers [[Gerhard Berger]] and [[Jean Alesi]],<ref name=":7" /> but the Benetton team slipped to the middle of the grid.<ref name="Motor Sport magazine Benetton Alpine March 2023" /> In {{F1|1997}}, Benetton replaced Briatore with [[David Richards (racing)|David Richards]].<ref name="GP">{{cite web |title=People: Flavio Briatore |url=http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cref-brifla.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127095214/http://www.grandprix.com/gpe/cref-brifla.html |archive-date=27 November 2012 |work=GrandPrix.com}}</ref>

Briatore sold his Benetton shares and invested the proceeds in [[Supertec]],<ref name=":7" /> which he led from {{F1|1998}} to {{F1|2000}}. Supertec was formed in the wake of Renault's departure from Formula One to supply the old Renault engines (built by [[Mecachrome]]) to F1 teams, including Benetton itself (1999 & 2000 as "[[Playlife]]"), [[WilliamsF1|Williams]] and [[British American Racing|BAR]] in 1999, and [[Arrows Grand Prix International|Arrows]] in 2000.<ref name="briatoref1fbio" /> Briatore forced Benetton to pay £17m/year to keep Renault power.<ref name=":7" />

Briatore also purchased a share of the [[Minardi]] team in {{F1|1996}}, but after failing to sell it to [[British American Tobacco]] as he had hoped, he sold out to fellow owners [[Giancarlo Minardi]] and [[Gabriele Rumi]].<ref name="GP" />

===Renault F1===
[[File:Flavio Briatore Chinese GP 2008.jpg|thumb|Briatore in 2008]]
In 2000, Renault announced its plans to return to Formula One with the purchase of the Benetton Formula team. Briatore returned as managing director and team principal, replacing [[Rocco Benetton]]. The team raced as Benetton-Renault in 2001 before becoming Renault F1 in 2002.

At Renault, Briatore continued aggressively cycling through drivers. In 2003, he dropped future world champion [[Jenson Button]] to make room for future two-time world champion [[Fernando Alonso]]. Against public outcry, Briatore promised that "time will tell if I am wrong."<ref name="outcry">{{cite news | first = Kevin | last = Eason | title = Alonso making life cheap and cheerful for his paymaster | url = https://www.thetimes.com/sport/formula-one/article/alonso-making-life-cheap-and-cheerful-for-his-paymaster-dt6s3srsbtc | work = [[The Times]] | publisher = News International | date = 9 September 2005 | access-date = 1 November 2006 | location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="briatoref1fbio" /> In addition, while he personally managed [[Jarno Trulli]] and [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]], he also dropped both of them from Renault. He sacked Trulli the same year that Trulli collected his only race win, the [[2004 Monaco Grand Prix]].<ref name="briatoref1fbio" /> Piquet Jr. later called Briatore his "executioner" and "ignorant about Formula 1".<ref name="Autosport2009">{{Cite web |last1=Noble |first1=Jonathan |last2=Straw |first2=Edd |date=13 August 2009 |title=Piquet: Briatore is ignorant about F1 |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/77638/piquet-briatore-is-ignorant-about-f1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223050825/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/77638/piquet-briatore-is-ignorant-about-f1 |archive-date=23 February 2020 |access-date=13 May 2020 |website=Autosport.com}}</ref> Briatore also managed [[Mark Webber (racing driver)|Mark Webber]], [[Heikki Kovalainen]], and [[Romain Grosjean]].<ref name=":13" /><ref name="briatoref1fbio" />

Alonso left for rivals [[McLaren]] for 2007.<ref name="briatoref1fbio" /> Briatore replaced him with Kovalainen, saying "with Kovalainen, I hope to find the anti-Alonso".<ref name="f1fbombshells">{{cite web | title = F1's biggest bombshells | publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk | year = 2006 | url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/12/19/f1%e2%80%99s-biggest-bombshells/ | access-date = 18 August 2007 | archive-date = 13 February 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120213235437/http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/12/19/f1%e2%80%99s-biggest-bombshells/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

In April 2006, Renault F1's new president [[Alain Dassas]] stated that having a contract with Briatore for 2007 was 'a key factor' in securing the company's commitment to the sport, "and we will do everything to ensure Flavio stays".<ref>[http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35603 F1 | Formula 1 – Renault: We must keep Briatore – ITV Sport<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423074713/http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.aspx?PO_ID=35603 |date=23 April 2006 }}</ref> Briatore was duly confirmed on 6 September 2006 as staying at Renault for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17392.html|title=Renault re-aligns aspirations|website=www.grandprix.com|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305215902/https://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17392.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Briatore was also implicated in the [[2007 Formula One espionage controversy|2007 "Spygate" scandal]], but escaped without punishment. In November 2007, the FIA alleged that Renault possessed confidential information about the 2006 and 2007 McLaren F1 cars. Following a hearing that December, Renault were found guilty of breaching the same regulation as McLaren, but were not punished. Despite this guilty verdict, Briatore hit back at McLaren's [[Ron Dennis]], saying "here is a team that acquired an advantage illegally. Just read the regulations: for [[intellectual property theft]] the punishment is exclusion... Ron Dennis… was the one who protested us on the mass damper. He is not the immaculate saint he pretends to be on his statements".<ref name="f1fbriatoremclaren">{{cite web | title = Briatore: 'Throw McLaren out' | publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk | year = 2007 | url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/briatore-throw-mclaren-out/ | access-date = 18 August 2007 | archive-date = 12 October 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012141018/http://f1fanatic.co.uk/2007/08/04/briatore-throw-mclaren-out/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

===="Crashgate" and resignation====
{{Main|Renault Formula One crash controversy}}
{{wikinews|Renault F1's team boss, top engineer quit as team accepts cheating claim}}
Briatore was forced to resign from Renault after a race fixing scandal. Briatore and chief engineer [[Pat Symonds]] asked their number two driver, [[Nelson Piquet Jr.]], to intentionally crash during the [[2008 Singapore Grand Prix]] so that his teammate [[Fernando Alonso]] could gain an advantage. Alonso eventually won the race. After Briatore dropped Piquet from the team, Piquet traded his confession for [[Legal immunity|immunity]].<ref name=":13" /> Briatore later said that "I was just trying to save the team."<ref name="Times17Sep09Pelata">{{cite news |last=Dineen |first=Robert |date=17 September 2009 |title=Renault chief admits 'Crashgate' has damaged company |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/formula_1/article6838334.ece |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405202707/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=17 September 2009 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London}}</ref><ref name="SkySporst17Sep09BriatoreStatement">{{cite web |date=17 September 2009 |title=Briatore: I did it for Renault |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_5565218,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922205342/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_5565218,00.html |archive-date=22 September 2009 |access-date=17 September 2009 |publisher=[[Sky Sports]]}}</ref> However, he still claims that he never personally spoke with Piquet.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |date=2025-06-01 |title=Flavio Briatore: «I owe everything to Benetton. Italy doesn't deserve me. I give my son Falco a 500-euro monthly allowance» |url=https://www.corriere.it/cronache/25_giugno_01/flavio-briatore-i-owe-everything-to-benetton-italy-doesn-t-deserve-me-i-give-my-son-falco-a-500-euro-monthly-allowance-1c5b347c-ce3c-4f6d-b985-cf503a092xlk.shtml |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Corriere della Sera |language=it-IT}}</ref>   

In September 2009, the [[Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile]] (FIA) charged Renault with conspiracy and race fixing. Renault and Briatore initially threatened to sue Piquet for defamation, but shortly afterwards, Renault announced that they would not "dispute the recent allegations made by the FIA"<ref name="RenaultStatement16Sep09">[[Renault F1]] statement, 16 September 2009{{cite web |date=16 September 2009 |title=ING Renault F1 Team Statement – 16 September 2009 |url=http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/_2009/team/index.php#/team/newsdesk/communiques/ |publisher=ING Renault F1}}{{dead link|date=December 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and that Briatore and Symonds had left the team.<ref name="Telegraph17Sep09QnA">{{cite news
|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lotus/6199480/Q-and-A-why-Renault-face-race-fixing-allegations-and-other-questions.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/motorsport/formulaone/lotus/6199480/Q-and-A-why-Renault-face-race-fixing-allegations-and-other-questions.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live
|title=Q and A: why Renault face race-fixing allegations and other questions
|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]
|date=17 September 2009
|access-date=17 September 2009
| location=London
| first=Tom
| last=Cary
}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="BBC17Sep09Blame">{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8261004.stm
|title=Renault blames Briatore & Symonds
|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]
|date=17 September 2009
|access-date=17 September 2009
|archive-date=18 September 2009
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918101744/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8261004.stm
|url-status=live
}}</ref> Renault emerged largely unscathed on paper, receiving two years' probation; the FIA explained that Renault promptly and unreservedly accepted guilt and "ensured that [Briatore and Symonds] left the team".<ref name=":13" /> However, Renault exited Formula One shortly after, and Piquet never raced in Formula One again.

The FIA was much less lenient on Briatore, handing him what ''[[The Daily Mirror]]'' described as the harshest sanction ever imposed on an individual in motorsport history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/crashgate-renault-owner-flavio-briatore-420079|title=Renault owner Flavio Briatore slapped with lifetime F1 ban|first=Byron|last=Young|publisher=[[Daily Mirror]]|date=21 September 2009|access-date=21 September 2009|archive-date=19 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019020035/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/crashgate-renault-owner-flavio-briatore-420079|url-status=live}}</ref> Briatore was indefinitely banned from FIA-sanctioned events. In addition, he was effectively banned from managing drivers, as the FIA announced that it would not permit any driver he managed to renew their [[superlicence]]. Symonds received a five-year ban. The FIA explained that it severely punished Briatore because he refused to admit his guilt despite overwhelming evidence, whereas Symonds admitted guilt and expressed remorse.<ref name=":13">{{cite news|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78770|title=Renault given two-year suspended ban|first=Jonathan|last=Noble|publisher=Autosport.com|date=21 September 2009|access-date=21 September 2009|archive-date=23 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090923205118/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78770|url-status=live}}</ref>

Briatore sued the FIA in French courts over the unprecedented penalty, demanding his reinstatement and €1 million in compensation.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Flavio Briatore's ban overturned by French court |url=http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/6063.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330063637/http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/6063.html |archive-date=30 March 2010 |access-date=24 September 2010 |website=ESPN UK}}</ref> On 5 January 2010, the [[Tribunal d'instance|Tribunal de Grande Instance]] overturned the bans on Briatore and Symonds and granted them €20,000 in compensation, €15,000 of which went to Briatore.<ref name=":15" /> The tribunal said that the FIA lacked authority to ban other F1 figures from working with Briatore and Symonds.<ref name=":15" /> It also questioned the quality of the FIA's evidence<ref name=":14" /> and suggested that the FIA had not given Briatore [[due process]], as the ban was imposed by a council led by FIA president [[Max Mosley]], whose animosity towards Briatore "was well known."<ref name=":15">{{cite news |last=Hamilton |first=Maurice |last2=Gibson |first2=Owen |date=5 January 2010 |title=FIA vows to stop Flavio Briatore returning to Formula One |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jan/05/flavio-briatore-fia-court-decision |access-date=2025-05-19 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The FIA announced that it would appeal the decision,<ref name=":15" /> but the two parties reached an out-of-court settlement the following April.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8452410.stm FIA to appeal Briatore decision] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121209141846/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/8452410.stm |date=9 December 2012 }} BBC</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Elizalde|first=Pablo|title=FIA, Briatore reach settlement|publisher=[[Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Publications]]|work=autosport.com|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82844|date=12 April 2010|access-date=12 April 2010|archive-date=15 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415060246/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82844|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wilderness years===
Although the French court ruling made Briatore eligible to return to Formula One in theory, he said that he did not expect to work in F1 again.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lostia |first=Michele |author2=Elizalde, Pablo |date=12 March 2010 |title=Briatore rules out returning to F1 |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100315072836/http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/82014 |archive-date=15 March 2010 |access-date=19 March 2010 |work=autosport.com |publisher=[[Haymarket Media Group|Haymarket Publications]]}}</ref> He spent fifteen years on the sidelines of the sport.<ref name=":4" /> However, he remained associated with the sport, particularly through his close relationship with [[Fernando Alonso]].<ref name=":7" />

During his time away from Formula One, Briatore maintained his longstanding belief<ref name="briatoref1fbio" /><ref name=":9" /> that Formula One should focus on spectator entertainment over technical innovation.<ref name="f1f06quotes">{{cite web | title = F1 2006 review: In their own words | publisher = F1Fanatic.co.uk | year = 2006| url = http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2006/10/28/f1-2006-review-in-their-own-words/ | access-date =18 August 2007}}</ref> He frequently criticised the direction of modern Formula One, and particularly its emphasis on "hidden technology," saying that "nothing costs more, and delivers less entertainment".<ref name="f1f06quotes" /> He attacked the larger auto manufacturers' push for fuel-efficient engines, saying that the new engines' slower speeds were not fun to watch<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.f1today.net/es/noticias/flavio-briatore-slams-the-new-face-of-formula-1 |title=Flavio Briatore slams the new face of Formula 1 - F1Today.net Formula 1 news |access-date=14 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140615103832/http://www.f1today.net/es/noticias/flavio-briatore-slams-the-new-face-of-formula-1 |archive-date=15 June 2014 }}</ref> and that fans wanted to hear the loud noises of the old Formula One engines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9346484/Briatore-It-s-not-our-Formula-1 |title=Briatore: It's not our Formula 1 &#124; Planet F1 &#124; Formula One &#124; News, Standings, Results, Features, Video |access-date=15 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618021909/http://www.planetf1.com/driver/18227/9346484/Briatore-It-s-not-our-Formula-1 |archive-date=18 June 2014 }}</ref> He also criticised the new Formula One spending cap, saying that independent teams could not reasonably reach the $175 million ceiling.<ref name=":8" />

=== Return to Formula One ===
In May 2024, Briatore returned to Enstone and Renault (now competing as the [[Alpine F1 Team]]).<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Flavio Briatore Returns to F1 with Alpine {{!}} thejudge13 |url=https://thejudge13.com/2024/05/29/flavio-briatore-returns-to-f1-with-alpine/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=thejudge13.com |date=29 May 2024 |archive-date=28 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628094714/https://thejudge13.com/2024/05/29/flavio-briatore-returns-to-f1-with-alpine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was given the title of Executive Advisor for the Formula One Division.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-21 |title=Alpine announce further team changes as Flavio Briatore returns in Executive Advisor role |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/alpine-announce-further-team-changes-as-flavio-briatore-returns-in-executive.14mfyaJthQ4dBCx36Kpl6q |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website |language=en}}</ref> Although he was employed by the parent Renault company and not the official Alpine team,<ref name=":5" /> ''[[Motor Sport (magazine)|Motor Sport]]'' reported that Briatore had "effectively been given full scope for hirings and firings within the team."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |date=2024-07-08 |title=From a PR perspective re-hiring Flavio Briatore looks disastrous |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-2024/25/mark-hughes-from-a-pr-perspective-re-hiring-flavio-briatore-looks-disastrous/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Car (magazine)|''Car'' magazine]] interpreted his role as "team boss in all but name."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-12-09 |title=F1 2024: the bizarre return of Flavio Briatore |url=https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/alpine/briatore-f1-team-return/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=CAR Magazine |language=en}}</ref> 

Briatore's return to F1 was controversial, largely due to lingering memories from Crashgate.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Molly |date=2024-06-21 |title=Flavio Briatore's return shows Formula 1 has morals only when it suits |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/formula-one/article/flavio-briatore-return-formula-1-only-has-morals-when-it-suits-d082hbc6m |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> However, several F1 executives, including Mercedes' [[Toto Wolff]], Ferrari's [[Frédéric Vasseur]], and Sauber's [[Alessandro Alunni Bravi]], commented positively on the move.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mee |first=Lydia |date=2024-06-22 |title=F1 Team Bosses Have Their Say On Flavio Briatore's Controversial Comeback |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/racing/f1briefings/news/f1-team-bosses-have-their-say-on-flavio-briatore-s-controversial-comeback-01j0zw79s5p2 |access-date=2024-12-12 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-US}}</ref> Briatore credited Formula One chief [[Stefano Domenicali]] for facilitating his comeback.<ref name=":17" />

Upon returning to Renault/Alpine, Briatore aggressively cut expenses, reducing headcount at Alpine's Enstone facility by 25%<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valantine |first=Henry |date=2024-11-10 |title=Inside Alpine's 'spring cleaning' operation with huge job cull revealed |url=https://www.planetf1.com/news/flavio-briatore-alpine-job-losses-spring-cleaning |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=PlanetF1 |language=en}}</ref> and shuttering Renault's [[Viry-Châtillon]] engine operation in favor of a customer engine supply from Mercedes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarkozi |first=Kada |date=2024-11-19 |title='Smart decision by Briatore and Alpine to choose Mercedes' |url=https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/313337/schumacher-thinks-alpine-made-good-choice-with-mercedes.html |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=GPblog.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2024-08-28 |title=Briatore not the &quot;bad guy&quot; in ending Renault's F1 engine project |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/briatore-not-the-bad-guy-in-ending-renaults-f1-engine-project/10648506/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240914040543/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/briatore-not-the-bad-guy-in-ending-renaults-f1-engine-project/10648506/ |archive-date=2024-09-14 |access-date=2024-12-12 |language=en}}</ref> Briatore attributed the engine decision to Renault senior management, saying that the decision was made before he joined the team, and that "whatever our chairman decides [is] fine."<ref name=":2" /> Several media outlets suggested that Renault CEO [[Luca de Meo]] had given Briatore a mandate to make the team more attractive to a potential buyer,<ref name=":1" /> but Briatore denied the accusation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-24 |title=Briatore: Mismanaged Alpine will not be sold |url=https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/40974317/mismanaged-f1-team-alpine-not-sold-flavio-briatore-says |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

On 6 May 2025, following the mid-season resignation of team principal [[Oliver Oakes]], Briatore became Alpine's ''[[de facto]]'' team principal. He is not the official team principal, as he is not an Alpine employee and he does not hold the requisite FIA license.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Andrew |date=2025-05-14 |title=Italian Grand Prix: Flavio Briatore heads to Emilia-Romagna in undefined Alpine role |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/articles/cd0le931elpo |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Outside Formula One==

=== Hospitality and luxury brands ===
Briatore has developed a diverse portfolio of business interests outside Formula 1, many of which revolve around fashion.

He created the {{ill|Billionaire nightclub|it|Billionaire}} brand in 1998 and owned a club in [[Sardinia]]; in August 2012, he opened another Billionaire club in Marbella under that name along with an [[haute couture]] line, Billionaire Italian Couture. In addition to that, he opened [[Cipriani S.A.|Cipriani's restaurant]] in [[Mayfair]], London, in 2004 and until 2007 owned 48.9% of the pharmaceuticals company {{ill|Pierrel|it}}. He also operates a [[Tuscany|Tuscan]] beach club and Lion in the Sun, a holiday resort in [[Kenya]].<ref name="briatoref1fbio" /> Briatore sold the Sardinia nightclub to [[Leonardo Del Vecchio|Leonardo del Vecchio]] but still owns the Billionaire brand.<ref name=":17" />

Briatore is a beneficiary of Autumn Sailing Ltd, which formerly owned the luxury yacht ''[[Force Blue]]'', purchased from [[Roy Speer]] for a price variously reported at £68.2m or $87m.<ref name=":16" /><ref name=":18">{{Cite web |last=Drăgan |first=Otilia |date=2023-09-12 |title=Onboard Bernie Ecclestone’s Infamous Superyacht Packed With Over-the-Top Luxuries |url=https://www.autoevolution.com/news/onboard-bernie-ecclestones-infamous-superyacht-packed-with-over-the-top-luxuries-220886.html |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=autoevolution |language=en}}</ref> Briatore claimed that it was the most extravagant present he had ever bought himself,<ref>{{cite news |date=25 November 2005 |title=My London: Interview with Flavio Briatore |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-139113651/my-london |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107083657/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-139113651/my-london |archive-date=7 January 2016 |access-date=16 January 2013 |newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]] |page=122}}</ref> but rented out the yacht via [[Yacht charter|charter]].<ref name=":18" /> However, in 2010, the Italian government seized the yacht over a tax dispute.<ref name=":18" /> In 2021, the government sold the yacht to Briatore's friend Bernie Ecclestone for €7 million, which Briatore claimed was less than half its true value.<ref name=":17" />

=== Queens Park Rangers ===
In 2007, Briatore was linked to a takeover of English Championship [[association football|football]] club [[Queens Park Rangers]] (QPR) from a [[Monaco]]-based consortium led by [[Gianni Paladini]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jacob |first1=Gary |last2=Gorman |first2=Edward |title=Ecclestone chooses QPR over Arsenal |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article2351331.ece |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=30 August 2007 |access-date=22 September 2009 |location=London |url-access=subscription |archive-date=28 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628094708/https://www.thetimes.com/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 1 September 2007, it was officially announced that Briatore (along with [[Bernie Ecclestone]] and [[Lakshmi Mittal]]) had bought the club.<ref>{{cite press release|title=CLUB STATEMENT |url=http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~1103536,00.html |publisher=Queens Park Rangers Football Club |date=3 September 2007 |access-date=22 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218190602/http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10373~1103536%2C00.html |archive-date=18 February 2008 }}</ref> On 7 November 2007, Briatore completed his takeover of QPR together with Ecclestone. He served as the club's chairman.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

In December 2007, Briatore and Ecclestone were joined as co-owners of QPR by multi-billionaire [[Lakshmi Mittal]], who bought 20% of the club.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2329071/Lakshmi-Mittal-invests-in-QPR.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2329071/Lakshmi-Mittal-invests-in-QPR.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Lakshmi Mittal invests in QPR|author=Patrick Nathanson and agencies|date=20 December 2007|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Following Briatore's ban from FIA, the [[Football League]] requested that FIA provide details of its investigation. The Football League could force Briatore out of QPR under rules that stipulate a club owner must be a "[[Fit and proper person test|fit and proper person]]". The Football League also has the power to ban owners who have been banned from another sporting organisation.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6843329.ece | work=[[The Times]] | location=London | title=Flavio Briatore faces uncertainty over QPR role | first=Robert | last=Dineen | date=21 September 2009 | access-date=2 May 2010 | url-access=subscription | archive-date=28 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628104711/https://www.thetimes.com/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> The Football League board discussed the matter on 8 October 2009 and declared that they would be awaiting a response from Briatore to various questions before commenting further. It was announced that he had stepped down from the post, effective from 19 February 2010.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

When interviewed about the QPR experience on an Italian chat show, he stated: "I will never invest in a football club again, it's only ever a good idea if you're very rich and looking for ways to waste your money. In two years you'll be very poor and won't have that problem anymore"

== Personal life ==

=== Marriages, relationships, and children ===
Briatore has been married three times and has two children, [[Leni Klum]] (b. 2004) and Falco Nathan Briatore (b. 2010).<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":19" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-03-19 |title=Briatore Present for Birth of Son Falco |url=https://au.motorsport.com/f1/news/briatore-present-for-birth-of-son-falco/2408855/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |work=[[Motorsport.com]]}}</ref> He married the following women:

* Nina Stevens<ref name=":17" />
* Marcy Schlobohm<ref name=":17" />
* [[Elisabetta Gregoraci]] (m. 14 June 2008;<ref>{{cite news |date=16 June 2008 |title=Briatore finally ties the knot |url=http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/68366 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080620012755/http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/68366 |archive-date=20 June 2008 |access-date=19 June 2008 |publisher=autosport.com}}</ref> sep. 2017).

In addition, Briatore was previously engaged to supermodel [[Naomi Campbell]] (sep. 2003)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/jan/08/fashion.features|title=Chrissy Iley meets Naomi Campbell|last=Iley|first=Chrissy|date=8 January 2006|work=The Observer|access-date=20 November 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=28 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628094708/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2006/jan/08/fashion.features|url-status=live}}</ref> and briefly dated supermodel [[Heidi Klum]], a relationship that produced a daughter, Leni.<ref name=":19">{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/celebrity/klum-dixie-chick-welcome-3-baby-girls/|title=Klum, Dixie Chick Welcome 3 Baby Girls|newspaper=People|access-date=13 May 2020|archive-date=17 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017171559/http://people.com/celebrity/klum-dixie-chick-welcome-3-baby-girls/|url-status=live}}</ref>

During Leni Klum's childhood, Heidi Klum and her then-husband [[Seal (musician)|Seal]] both stated that Briatore was not involved in Leni Klum's life;<ref>{{cite news |author=William Keck |date=3 December 2007 |title=Celeb Watch: Heidi Klum relishes her model family life |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/celebwatch/2007-12-09-heidi-klum_N.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024105645/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/celebwatch/2007-12-09-heidi-klum_N.htm |archive-date=24 October 2012 |access-date=4 December 2007 |publisher=[[USA Today]]}}</ref><ref name=":20">{{Cite web |date=2007-11-04 |title=Seal on being a father and Heidi not being pregnant, for once! |url=https://people.com/parents/seal-on-being-a/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref> Seal implied it was by mutual agreement, explaining that "[it's] not because [Briatore's] a bad person ... He obviously sees the set-up and leaves it alone."<ref name=":20" /> In 2009, Seal announced that Briatore gave consent for Seal to adopt the five-year-old Leni and for her surname to be changed to Klum. He thanked Briatore for agreeing to the change and said that Briatore "was a gentleman about the whole thing".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-12-14 |title=Seal Opens Up About Decision to Adopt Leni |url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/12/14/seal-opens-up-about-decision-to-adopt-leni/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924000526/http://celebritybabies.people.com/2009/12/14/seal-opens-up-about-decision-to-adopt-leni/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=5 December 2012 |website=People.com}}</ref>

In September 2023, it was reported that Briatore and Leni were now in contact with each other.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Kate |date=2023-09-09 |title=Heidi Klum's lookalike daughter Leni, 19, pictured with biological father Flavio Briatore in rare photo |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/502099/heidi-klum-daughter-leni-reunites-biological-father-flavio-briatore/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=HELLO! |language=en}}</ref> In October 2024, Briatore and Klum opened a pizzeria together in Manhattan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Speakman |first=Kimberlee |last2=Phillipp |first2=Charlotte |date=2024-10-31 |title=Heidi Klum Had a 'Big Fight' with Ex Flavio Briatore About Getting Pineapple Pizza on the Menu at Their New Restaurant |url=https://people.com/heidi-klum-had-a-big-fight-with-ex-flavio-briatore-about-getting-pineapple-pizza-on-the-menu-at-their-new-restaurant-8737557 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Homes and activities ===
In 1993, an explosive device destroyed the front door of Briatore's London mansion. The [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] claimed responsibility.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elson |first=James |date=2024-06-23 |title=Flavio Briatore: from fraudster to fashion executive to F1 boss |url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/flavio-briatore-from-fraudster-to-fashion-executive-to-f1-boss/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Motor Sport Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Briatore currently resides in [[Monaco]], citing its favorable tax rules and good business environment; he has lived there since approximately 2010.<ref name=":17" /> After the Italian government auctioned off the ''Force Blue'' yacht following a tax dispute, Briatore said that "Italy has never helped me ... and it doesn't deserve to have me living there."<ref name=":17" />

In 2019, Briatore founded the political party Movimento del Fare.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/flavio-briatore-messaggio-a-salvini-io-ministro-se-mi-chiama-al-governo-dico-si/1914730/|title=Flavio Briatore fonda Movimento del Fare/ Discesa in politica e affinità con Salvini|date=13 August 2019|access-date=21 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203401/https://www.ilsussidiario.net/news/flavio-briatore-messaggio-a-salvini-io-ministro-se-mi-chiama-al-governo-dico-si/1914730/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[The Apprentice (Italian TV series)|''The Apprentice'' (Italian TV series)]]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{commons}}
* {{official|http://www.flaviobriatore.it/}}
{{Renault F1}}
{{Benetton Formula}}{{Alpine F1}}{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Briatore, Flavio}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Formula One team owners]]
[[Category:Formula One team principals]]
[[Category:People from Verzuolo]]
[[Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. directors and chairmen]]
[[Category:Renault people]]
[[Category:Italian fraudsters]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted on fraud charges]]
[[Category:Italian expatriates in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Italian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Italian sports agents]]
[[Category:Italian motorsport people]]
[[Category:Motorsport agents]]
[[Category:Benetton Formula]]
[[Category:People named in the Pandora Papers]]