Flavio Briatore

Flavio Briatore ( born April 12, 1950 in Verzuolo ) is an Italian sports and industrial manager. He was known primarily as team boss of Formula 1 racing teams Benetton ( 1989-1997 ) and Renault ( 2002-2009 ), where he was last to leave his post because of the so-called " Singapore " affair. He was then indefinitely excluded from the Formula 1 and all other FIA events. This lock was released on January 5, 2010. Briatore is also co-owner of English football club Queens Park Rangers.

Early years

Briatore was born the son of a teacher -married couple. He graduated after school training as a surveyor, but then worked in many odd jobs - inter alia as a ski instructor - and later owned a restaurant named Tribula that he had but close again. After he was for a time worked as an insurance agent, he started together with the financial and Contractors Attilio Dutto from Cuneo his career as an independent contractor. The joint plans with Dutto Briatore had soon to give up again, as his partner mysteriously died in a car bomb explosion in March 1979.

Next, Briatore was working on the Milan Stock Exchange, where he only Achille Caproni ( Caproni aircraft), later the clothing manufacturer Benetton Luciano met. With some investments such as the purchase of the company his late business partner Dutto and bankruptcies of some holding companies, Briatore was increasingly in trouble with the Italian judiciary and sentenced to various prison terms. He succeeded by a longer stay abroad in the Caribbean to escape this prison and return unpunished for an amnesty to Italy. During his stay abroad, he used his friendship with Benetton and worked for the company. He opened several hundred Benetton stores in the U.S. and became wealthy by local successes.

Formula 1

Upon his return to Italy in 1989, Luciano Benetton Briatore summoned to the manager and team leader of the in- company owned since 1986 Formula 1 team, Benetton Formula. Briatore justified his commitment despite the lack of any previous connections to the motor sport soon by considerable success. In 1994, he helped the emerging young German driver Michael Schumacher to his first world title, the " Schumi " in 1995 on a Benetton -Renault successfully defended. In the same year, Benetton also managed the only constructors' championships the team's history. After the departure of Schumacher's Ferrari the star of the racing team fell gradually and Briatore finally retired the end of 1997 from Formula 1 back.

As the Renault group, who had also adopted in late 1997 as an engine supplier in Formula 1 in 2001 announced its return as an independent team by taking over the Benetton racing team, also Briatore was back on board and led the team again from 2002 to considerable successes. As explorers and Manager of Fernando Alonso, he helped the Spaniard to two World Championship titles in 2005 and 2006, and won in two years, the Constructors' title for Renault. In September 2009, Briatore had to provide his position as team boss of Renault after it became public knowledge that he may with the chief engineer of the team, Pat Symonds, the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008 by an arranged accident his driver Nelson Piquet jr has been tampered with.. The Renault Group had previously announced not to take action against serious allegations of the dismissed in July ex- pilots Piquet, which can be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Briatore himself, however, had previously denied the allegations and in turn for defamation complaint against Piquet and his father Nelson Piquet sen. provided.

September 21, 2009 Briatore and Pat Symonds were by the International Automobile Federation (FIA ) covered with locks on all FIA events. Briatore was a lock for an unlimited time, Symonds for five years. In addition, Briatore should not appear as a manager of a driver. Renault has also been subject to a lock, but the sentence was pronounced on probation until 2011. Briatore was considered one of the closest confidants of Formula 1 mogul Bernie Ecclestone and as one of the ablest and most influential players in the Formula 1 business.

Both the barrier against Briatore and Symonds opposite was lifted on January 5, 2010 by a French court. In support, the court stated that the barrier due to the weak evidence was irregular. In addition, Briatore a compensation of 15,000 euros was awarded. The International Automobile Federation FIA announced immediately to go against that judgment may be appealed. Briatore and FIA agreed on April 12, 2010. FIA lifted the lifetime ban. This allows Briatore, from 2013 to assume a responsible position in the Formula 1. But Briatore and Symonds waive all legal claims and proceedings against the FIA. By the end of 2012, they may take no items in Formula 1. According to the FIA Briatore and Symonds have the responsibility for the deliberate crash over, apologized and expressed their regret about the incident expressed.

Other activities

About his previous commitment to motorsport operates Briatore together with Angelo Galasso the exclusive fashion brand Billionaire Couture. Since 2004 he is also the owner of the exclusive nightclub, the Billionaire Club (German Club of billionaires ) in Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia. In addition, it operates the Twiga Beach Club in Tuscany and luxury hotel with spa Lion in the Sun Resort in Kenya.

From 1 September 2007 Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore bought the London football club Queens Park Rangers. The purchase price amounted to 1.5 million euros, also liabilities in the amount of 19.5 million euros was repaid. On 19 February 2010 Briatore resigned as president of the Football Association. He remains co-owner.

Public occurrence

Briatore has become in public by his " playboy " image known, which is based on extramarital affairs and links with attractive ladies and well-known models. So he maintained, inter alia, relations with Naomi Campbell and Heidi Klum. With Klum he has a daughter who later damaligem of Klum's husband Seal was adopted. The couple had even separated during pregnancy Klum. In June 2008, the rather well-known as a bachelor Briatore married surprising 30 years younger Italian Elisabetta Gregoraci.

In a normal checkup beginning of July 2006 doctors had discovered in the United States a malignant tumor on Briatore's left kidney. He was then operated at a clinic in Rome.