Flavio Briatore compares former Formula 1 ‘phenomenon’ to Verstappen, Senna, and Schumacher

Key Highlights

• He was responsible for bringing Michael Schumacher into Benetton back in 1991 and played a key role in his first two title wins. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLater, when Renault acquired the team, Briatore made the bold decision to replace Jenson Button with Fernando Alonso, a move that paid off handsomely. Alonso delivered immediately, capturing back-to-back championships in 2005 and 2006.
• At the time, he was the youngest driver to achieve such a milestone. Briatore told AS: “Young Fernando was a phenomenon, on par with Senna and Schumacher, and later Verstappen.
• But old Alonso is still pretty good.”Flavio Briatore: ‘If Alpine can’t win, I’ll be supporting Fernando Alonso’Although Flavio Briatore is the boss at Alpine, he also manages Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
• Two decades after his last title, the Spaniard still believes a third championship isn’t out of reach before he calls time on his career. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAston Martin have big ambitions under the new regulations, fuelled by heavy investment from owner Lawrence Stroll.
• The operation is now led by Adrian Newey, who many consider to be the best designer F1 has ever seen. When asked if he would support Alonso if Alpine aren’t in contention, Briatore said without hesitation: “One hundred percent.”But Aston Martin face a challenging road ahead.