Flavio Briatore

Flavio Briatore is an Italian businessman and team boss who currently serves as Executive Advisor at Alpine. Following the departure of Oliver Oakes, he is also acting as interim team principal. Briatore is a controversial yet influential figure in Formula 1, with a career marked by both sporting success and scandal, most notably the infamous Crashgate incident.

Briatore had a challenging start in life, only graduating from high school after several attempts. He worked as a ski instructor, restaurant owner and door-to-door salesman before entering the business world as an assistant to businessman Attilio Dutto. After Dutto’s death, Briatore moved into stock trading in Milan, where he met Luciano Benetton.

Through this connection, Briatore rose through the ranks at the Benetton fashion company, eventually leading its American division. During this time, he was convicted in Italy for multiple fraud cases and sentenced to prison. He fled to Saint Thomas but was later able to return to Europe after receiving amnesty.

In 1988, Briatore became commercial director of the Benetton F1 team. Shortly after his arrival, he dismissed the entire management team. Benetton’s rise began when Briatore spotted the talent of Michael Schumacher. He signed Schumacher after his debut race with Jordan, leading to world titles in 1994 and 1995. Jos Verstappen also raced under his leadership in 1994.

After Schumacher’s departure, Benetton’s performance declined, and Briatore was replaced in 1997. He remained active in the sport, including as an engine supplier through Supertec. In 2000, when Renault acquired Benetton, Briatore returned as team principal. With Fernando Alonso, he achieved further success, winning two world championships in 2005 and 2006.

In 2009, Briatore was accused by Nelson Piquet Jr. of deliberately ordering him to crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to help teammate Alonso win. The affair became known as Crashgate. Briatore was dismissed and handed a lifetime ban by the FIA, which was later overturned due to lack of evidence. In 2013, he was officially allowed to return to the sport.

Briatore is now Executive Advisor at Alpine and, since 2025, also interim team principal. He plays an active role in strategic decisions, including driver line-ups. After six races in 2025, he replaced Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto.

Briatore’s exact net worth is unknown. However, he owns the 63-metre luxury yacht Force Blue, which accommodates 12 guests and a crew of ten – a clear sign of his millionaire status.

Briatore married American model Marcy Schlobohm in 1983, divorcing in 1987. Between 2008 and 2017, he was married to Italian TV presenter Elisabetta Gregoraci. Whether he is currently in a relationship is unknown.