F1 News

Briatore on GP2 deal: It was not just about the sum

Briatore on GP2 deal: "It was not just about the sum"

20-01-2019 14:48 Last update: 15:00
2

Former Renault boss, Flavio Briatore has revealed how he knew the talent Fernando Alonso had as well as the satisfaction in the 2007 GP2 deal.

Briatore launched the GP2 series alongside Bernie Ecclestone in 2005 and at the time of the secret 2007 deal, it was worth an estimated 150 million pounds.

“In that coup, it was not just about the sum,” said Briatore on Nico Rosberg’s ‘Beyond Victory’ podcast.

"But also about the satisfaction of having created something that brings me a lot of money four years later."

"I was unlucky because Liberty was not here yet.” Joked the Italian.

When asked about what made his deals so successful he replied: “I was so good because I took risks.”

Briatore was also the man behind Fernando Alonso signing for Renault as a test driver as well as buying Bernie Ecclestone’s TV rights for Spain.

"Nobody wanted to transfer Formula 1 at that time.

"But I wanted to make Spain a country like Italy with the Tifosi, which is like assuming that a Japanese player will win in tennis." Added Briatore.

"I knew how good Fernando is - and I knew that he would explode a year later."