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As the snowball grows in size and pace, Renault add themselves to the four other teams that have stated they will not enter the 2010 Formula One World Championship if the current proposed rules that will result in a two-tier formula are not revised. Joining Toyota, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso, Renault say that the governance of the sport needs to be better balanced between all involved parties. Continue Reading

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System that has been introduced in 2009 is causing controversy again as Flavio Briatore admits that the Formula One Teams Association is looking at getting it banned from 2010 onwards. Currently the device is only optional and although it adds a substantial boost of power for short periods, the system also weighs a lot and has resulted in many drivers losing weight in order to not be impeded by running the device. However, only a few teams are running the technology and already Ferrari have removed it from both, and now one of their cars. Continue Reading

Ever one to speak his mind and certainly not afraid to rock the establishment every now and then, Renault boss Flavio Briatore has voiced his disproval of the FIA International Court of Appeal’s decision that deems the ‘double-diffuser’ legal. While preparing for the Chinese Grand Prix on Thursday, Briatore hit out at Ross Brawn and his drivers, making crude comparisons and generally creating a fuss where others have simply accepted and moved on. Failing to get his way and having been criticised in the media, Briatore has proposed that Brawn’s entitlement to monetary benefits should instead be shared among the other competitors. Continue Reading

The seventy-first photograph to feature in BlogF1’s caption contest. You know the drill, think of something funny and witty to say and leave it as a comment below. To get us into the party mood for New Year’s Eve, here’s a picture of Michael Schumacher and Flavio Briatore celebrating by wearing silly glasses and silly wigs (oh, actually, Briatore’s hair is real, I think). It was taken when the pair worked for Benetton in the early-mid-’90s. My guess would be that it is a celebratory shot after Schumacher won his first title in 1994. Continue Reading

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has announced that his role within the Renault organisation will likely change before the start of the 2009 Formula One championship. Briatore has been at the helm of Renault for some time and has steered them to great success, but is yet to commit himself to a new deal until the future of the team (and possibly Fernando Alonso) are decided. Continue Reading

The fifty-fourth photograph to feature in BlogF1’s caption contest. You know the drill, think of something funny and witty to say and leave it as a comment below. I’ve always found this photo funny simply because Flavio Briatore looks as cool as he can be, relaxed while leaning up against the building. Bernie Ecclestone though, while mimicking Briatore, just can’t pull it off as well. Continue Reading

Nelson Piquet Jr. has endured a disastrous start to his Formula One career, especially when his results are compared to his team mate. Heikki Kovalainen last year had a tough time in the Renault, but the Finn eventually got to grips with the car in ended up hauling in more points than his then-team mate Giancarlo Fisichella. While I don’t think Piquet will be able to reign in Fernando Alonso this year, was the French Grand Prix the race that saw Piquet turn his fortunes around? Continue Reading

Often, Formula One can seem very complex and very heavy, weighing down on one’s mind with stories of industrial espionage and, well, role-playing. But sometimes the sport can throw up some unusual news items that can bring a smile to your face. Last year Nick Heidfeld became a proud father again, and earlier this year Pedro De La Rosa took time off to spend with his recently augmented family. And now today we have two funny little gems. Firstly, 58-year-old Flavio Briatore has set a date for his wedding to WonderBra model Elisabetta Gregoraci. The location is being kept a secret for now, but Briatore will recite his vows on June 14th, between the Canadian and French grands prix. Continue Reading

What do Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Fernando Alonso all have in common? You’d be right to say they’re all Formula One world champions, but for the sake of this post, they all have a connection with French car company Renault. Ayrton Senna debuted in the team that would eventually be transformed into Benetton and then in-turn Renault (and was tragically killed in a car powered by Renault), Alain Prost drove for Renault in the early ’80s, Schumacher, Hill and Villeneuve each won a championship with Viry-Chatillon power and of course, Alonso has won two titles to date with the recent incarnation of the French manufacturer. Continue Reading

With just under two weeks to go before the Bahrain Grand Prix, I felt it was time to do another summary of the news. There’s a lot to take in, even since Sunday when Kimi Raikkonen won in Sepang; this season is already shaping up to be busier than most. I wrote a long “News Round-up” article, but then realised there was too much to put in one posting. So instead I have broken them up. Therefore, this and the following three posts may seem to jump straight into the action without much faffing at the start. I’ll be interested to see if you guys prefer this method or not, but needless to say there is a lot to discuss. And it’s not even April yet… Continue Reading