Aston Martin, led by Fernando Alonso has had a flying start to the current campaign. The Spaniard has already stood on the podium three times in as many races. A lot of hands worked tirelessly to get Aston Martin toward the front end of the grid. However, there is only one man bankrolling and enabling these ambitions and that’s Lawrence Stroll. Under Stroll’s leadership, the team is touching new heights and this is exactly why Alonso confessed Stroll is a great leader. However, Alonso communicated that by making a very interesting comparison.

Alonso compared the Canadian billionaire to his former boss, Flavio Briatore. On the surface, Briatore was a man who got Alonso both his and Michael Schumacher his first two championship titles. So as quoted by Motorsport-total, the Spaniard compared his current boss with his Renault boss.

“Flavio was also very charismatic and a real leader,” says Alonso. “You have to make sure that all the different characters follow one voice and one lead.” (Translated by Google)

“You need something so that people listen to you and respect you and I believe that only Flavio and Lawrence have that leadership in all things that I work on,” he added, making the comparison.

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However, there is an underlying issue with Alonso’s comparison, as his former boss was surrounded by controversies and even banned from the sport.

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From an assistant to the boss of a clothing brand to dating celebrities and world-renowned models, Briatore has lived a life of highs. The playboy of F1, however, came under massive scrutiny when was accused and found guilty of a scandal in 2009.

Alonso was driving for Renault in 2008. During the Singapore GP, Alonso’s teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. was instructed by Briatore to cars on purpose and force the safety car out. An unaware Alonso took advantage of the situation and the race win. However, Piquet Jr. was fired from the team in the middle of the 2009 season, instigating him to talk. Piquet Jr.’s revelation provoked an investigation from the FIA which found Briatore guilty earning him a ban from the sport.

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So a comparison with such a controversial figure might not be as flattering for Stroll as Alonso thinks. However, the Canadian wouldn’t mind, especially with Alonso’s impact on his team and the Aston Martin brand as a whole.