Alonso better than great Schumacher - Briatore

  • Published on 18 Sep 2012 11:56
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Flavio Briatore, who has won titles with both drivers, believes Fernando Alonso is better than Michael Schumacher. "He (Alonso) is the best of the last 20 years," said the former Benetton and Renault boss, whose two-decade timeline would take F1 back to the Senna era.

Briatore told Italy's Sky Sport 24: "He (Alonso) is above Schumacher, but we are talking about very high levels and minimal differences. But Fernando makes very few mistakes, even under pressure, and his impression of the race is spectacular."

The Italian, who remains involved in the Spaniard's management, continued: "Sometimes a team can make mistakes with strategy but he can pull it back. And when he's ahead, 90 per cent of the time he will win the race, even if the car is not competitive. He lives and breathes racing only," added Briatore, who was banned from F1 amid the 'crashgate' scandal of 2008/9.

On the 2012 season more generally, Briatore thinks Alonso can win the championship but "Ferrari has to improve the car so that Alonso can win at least one more grand prix without McLaren being second. "There are many points, but if you're not first or second, there are only crumbs," he said.

Told that Red Bull's era of dominance is over, Briatore insisted "I don't think so", while he praised the Swiss team Sauber, who are "proof that money doesn't make the difference".

As for Romain Grosjean, who - once championed by Briatore - is emerging this weekend from an ultra-rare FIA race ban, Briatore said: "The federation did well. He (Grosjean) uses the car as though it's his, so he must begin to respect the work of the (Lotus) people because he causes many accidents. I would like to see what Alonso could do in his place," he added. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Country Spain
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, Spain
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar