Briatore rules out a return to F1

The former Renault boss, Flavio Briatore, is more than certain that he will never return to F1. The Italian left his position last year after the scandal of the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix and had also won a legal appeal to annul the ban imposed on him by the FIA. Briatore claims he has no intention of returning to F1.

During an interview with the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Briatore said he had no regrets about his time in F1.

“I absolutely exclude that,” he admitted regarding a return to F1. “I will watch the race on television and I will watch the faces of the many people I know. I remain fond of F1, even if it would have been fairer for me to leave at the end of the 2006 season, after Alonso’s second title.”

« I had already won all my challenges, and I was starting to feel the desire to devote myself to other things. Then in 2008, Alonso came back after a difficult season at McLaren, and out of friendship, I preferred to stay by his side. »

« Formula 1 has given me a lot of popularity, satisfaction, and knowledge: I regret nothing. »

The Italian insisted that the annulment of his ban by the court was the right decision and a relief for him.

“It was only justice,” he said. “I spent two months being treated like a criminal, it was hard, only I know what I felt. Then relief came, even though in a few months, the federation will appeal.”

« I am calm, I have done my duty as the captain of a ship that was at risk of sinking, by resigning. I took moral responsibility for the scandal, but the true story has already been written. However, the verdict has restored my freedom and dignity, and that is good »