'Brilliant' Briatore could help this sport a lot - Alonso

  • Published on 03 Sep 2014 12:14
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Flavio Briatore would be a good addition as formula one finds its direction for the future. That is the claim of Fernando Alonso, the sport's highest paid and arguably most highly rated driver. Recently, a man always closely aligned with the trajectory of Alonso's career - Briatore - was linked with a return to the sport as chairman of a new popularity working group.

It comes amid a period of introspection for F1 as it grapples with popularity at the crossover of the sport's old model with new, greener rules and the social media era. Alonso said 2014 has been a "tough year" for him. "First, because we (Ferrari) are not competitive," he told Sky, "and also because it is quite boring to drive the car. It is too slow and too heavy and we are not able to have the noise that we used to enjoy."

According to Italy's Tuttosport, Alonso thinks Briatore - a highly controversial figure within formula one - could help the sport at this time. "Flavio has often had winning ideas; I think he is a brilliant person," said the Spaniard. "He always has a very clear vision of how to solve problems. To me, he is someone who could help this sport a lot."

For others, F1 is something that is being left in its illustrious past. Jaime Alguersuari, dropped by Red Bull at a young age at the end of 2011, sees the future in the form of the new Formula E electric series. "At the moment I don't consider formula one as a sport," he told the Spanish newspaper Diario Sport.

"It has lost everything because of the engines, the tyres and the performance in general. Driving the cars was difficult - very difficult - but today a 16-year-old can get into cars that are five or six seconds slower than they were and be competitive."

"I find it disrespectful that someone like Carlos Sainz, leading an international series like the world series that takes many years of training, is overlooked in what looks like a non-sporting decision. It seems that what is most important is the business and the money to be made."

"I've moved on," said Alguersuari, still just 24. "I just say, publicly and openly, that I do not want to know anything about formula one because I think what is happening is ridiculous and shameful for me and many other drivers who are at the level to be there." (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

  • Team Aston Martin
  • Points 518
  • Podiums 9
  • Grand Prix 147
  • Country ES
  • Date of b. Jul 29 1981 (42)
  • Place of b. Oviedo, ES
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar