Piquet Jr. labels Briatore management as career's 'biggest mistake'

Former Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. has called appointing Flavio Briatore as his manager the "biggest mistake" of his F1 career, reigniting discussion around their fractured relationship and the infamous 'Crashgate' scandal. The Brazilian, who was dropped by the Briatore-led Renault team in 2009, claims he was treated as a disposable asset. This candid reflection comes as Briatore now holds a senior consultancy role with the same Enstone-based operation, currently competing as Alpine.

Why it matters:

Piquet's comments highlight the enduring bitterness from one of F1's darkest chapters and cast a shadow over Briatore's current powerful position within the Alpine team. They underscore the complex, often conflicting, dual role Briatore has historically played as both a team principal and a manager for multiple drivers, raising questions about impartiality and driver welfare that remain relevant today.

The details:

• In an interview, Piquet stated that having Briatore as a manager was a critical error for him and his family, leaving them without a trusted advisor to protect his interests.
• He characterized himself as "just a number" in Briatore's portfolio of six to eight drivers, accusing the Italian of manipulating his stable of clients for maximum financial gain.
• Their professional relationship disintegrated after the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Following his mid-2009 dismissal from Renault, Piquet Jr. revealed to the FIA that he had deliberately crashed on team orders to benefit teammate Fernando Alonso, another Briatore-managed driver.
• The ensuing 'Crashgate' scandal resulted in a lifetime FIA ban for Briatore, which was later overturned by a French court. Piquet received immunity for his testimony.
• Briatore, a pivotal figure who helped guide Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso to world championships, has since returned to the sport. He was appointed as an executive advisor to the Alpine F1 team in 2024, effectively co-running the operation.

What's next:

While Piquet has moved on to other racing categories, his pointed criticism serves as an unwelcome echo of the past for Alpine's current leadership.

• Briatore's influential role at Alpine, where he is tasked with reviving the team's fortunes, will continue to be scrutinized in light of these historical allegations about his management style and past actions.
• The story reinforces the long-lasting reputational damage of the Crashgate saga, proving that its key figures remain inextricably linked, with past decisions continuing to inform perceptions of their present roles in the sport.