Besides being one of the most controversial figures in Formula 1, Flavio Briatore was also the reason behind Renault’s world championship victories. The man who spent 20 years in Formula 1 was permanently banned from the sport after the crash gate incident back in 2008. However, recently the French court ruled that a lifetime ban should be revoked, and now Briatore is working closely with Luca de Meo.

Now that the controversial team principal is back with Alpine (formerly Renault), he has been called on to help bring the team back to fighting for podiums. Briatore led Renault as they won four drivers’ championships and four constructors titles, and according to Meo, no one else can do it except the Italian. In recent years, Alpine has dropped off, as they are now fighting at the bottom of the grid. But now that the team needs a revival, Bernie Ecclestone shares the conversation he had with Meo that gives us details of why the team needs a “bandit” to get back on the podium.

Alpine’s need for a bandit

Flavio Briatore has been appointed as a consultant for Alpine in F1. Now that he is back, his return is marked by ambitious goals, with promises of podium finishes by 2026. Recently, Bernie Ecclestone revealed his involvement in the decision-making process as he had a crucial conversation with Luca De Meo.

According to FormulaPassion, Ecclestone described Briatore as a “bandit among the angels,” as his controversial past in the sport has given him a reputation. Ecclestone and De Meo agreed that Briatore, known for his decisive and bold actions, was the right person to rejuvenate Alpine.

Recently, Bernie Ecclestone had a conversation with Luca de Meo, and that’s where they discussed Alpine’s plans for the future. The former F1 Supremo spoke about his conversation with Meo and said, “Briatore? Alpine needed a bandit.” Ecclestone added, “I spoke to De Meo; we needed a bandit among the angels.”

Ecclestone revealed his conversation with the Renault boss, saying, “I spoke for a long time on the phone with Renault boss Luca de Meo. He was desperate. Then the word Briatore popped up. We quickly agreed that only a man of action, a bandit among the angels, could be of help in such a confusing situation. There are already enough saints in the Circus.”

Ultimately, saying, “You don’t need friends in Formula 1, you just need success,” he concluded the discussion. Now that Flavio Briatore is back as a consultant, he has a chance to reshape Alpine to get back to reliving the glory days of Renault. Now that leaves us with the question: What are his plans for the future of the French team?

Flavio Briatore’s plans for Alpine in 2026

When Flavio Briatore was invited as a guest on Radio Rai on ‘La politica nel calcio’, he shared his goals and where he wanted the team to be. The Italian went on air to say, “In 2026, I will win races; the Alpine will be on the podium; then, I don’t know how many we will be able to do.”

The former team principal analyzed Alpine’s weaknesses and said, “This year we have many handicaps; we are reshaping the whole team. I had full powers from Luca de Meo. I’m used to using them and I guarantee that in two seasons we’ll be talking about podiums.”

It seems that Meo has given Briatore all the power he needs to bring the team back to the podiums. To make that happen, the team will need a second driver, as they just let Esteban Ocon go. Alpine also joined the race to sign Carlos Sainz, a driver who can be monumental in replicating the success the team had with Fernando Alonso.

Despite being a controversial figure, Briatore has been a very important part of the F1 world. From Crashgate to being able to revive the team, he has made Formula 1 an entertaining circus, like it should be. Considering all that and his 20 years of experience, do you think he will be able to bring the team back to the podium? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.