Briatore to lessen Renault role in 2009

[TheStig]

Flavio Briatore on Thursday said he has earmarked an assistant so that he can scale down his role at the helm of the Renault team in 2009. “Next year I will no longer be responsible for everything,” the 58-year-old is quoted as saying by Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Briatore, in charge of the former Benetton squad since the Renault takeover earlier this decade, said a team director will take care of the French team's day-to-day operation. “I will concentrate on the most important elements,” he said.

In the same interview, Briatore suggested Fernando Alonso is likely to stay next year, but was less confident about the future of the Spaniard's current teammate Nelson Piquet. “Fernando is with us; he presented himself to nobody,” he said, adding that the issue will be discussed with 27-year-old Alonso in more detail at the end of the season.

On the struggling rookie Piquet, Briatore said: “He has not had a good season so far. He does a tidy job until qualifying, but suddenly things do not go as well. We will see.”


http://www.manipef1.com/news/2008/index.php?id=2235&redirect=1

TheStig

[Steven Roy]

I heard this story earlier.  Anyone have any ideas who Flav will give the job too?  Nigel Stepney?

[Alianora La Canta]

I'd like to think it would be Pat Symonds; he's certainly clear-headed enough for the job.

[Steven Roy]

To me he is the logical choice.  Maybe I read something into Flavio's statement that wasn't ther but I assumed it was someone from outside the team.

[John S]

I thought Pat Symonds did the job already, he seems to speak for the team and the drivers at every race and is probably behind all the tactical decisions as well.

[TheStig]

I do not think Pat will take on this role.
But i know a man who can.

TheStig

[John S]

So if Pat won't take the job and he is staying at Renault this looks like a Colin Kolles type job and a man could lose his reputation taking that sort of role.

[TheStig]

John,i did not say Pat would not take the job.

Why do you think this new  chap will be from a 1 background?

TheStig

[John S]

 Sorry Stig I was fooling around.  I have no idea who might, or might not, want the job so I can't say if they will have an F1 background.

Kolles was not from F1 when he first got his role at Midland, but I do remember it caused a lot of raised eyebrows in the paddock and the media and I for one am still not clear about his role.

I am not suggesting Colin is in any way being considered for the job, my point is that with Pat already running most of the show at Renault just what will a new man do. After all in the second para of your first post in this thread you quote Flavio as saying "I will concentrate on the most important elements", what else does that leave?

[cosworth151]

Since Flav's main functions seem to be being seen with beautiful young women and saying stupid, egotistical things, maybe Gene Simmons, from KISS, would fit right in.

[Dare]

I like Flavio,he's egotisic and a snob but
I think F1 would miss him.

Hey he's colorful