F1 | From scandal to comeback: Flavio Briatore back in charge at Alpine. Flavio Briatore returns to a leadership role in F1 with Alpine.

The sudden resignation of Oliver Oakes from Alpine has brought Flavio Briatore—already serving as the team’s executive advisor—back to the direct leadership of a Formula 1 team. Flavio Briatore had returned to the outfit midway through last season, fifteen years after being removed due to the Crashgate scandal, considered one of the biggest controversies in F1 history.

During his time as team principal at Renault, Flavio Briatore, along with technical director Pat Symonds, was accused of having deliberately orchestrated an accident involving Nelson Piquet Jr at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, in order to secure a win for the team’s other driver, Fernando Alonso.

The FIA attempted to ban both men from Formula 1, but the Paris court later overturned the sanctions. Today, Flavio Briatore is back at the helm of Alpine, while Symonds is an advisor for the new team set to enter the sport in 2026.

Crashgate
During the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix, Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr was instructed to deliberately crash, triggering the deployment of the safety car. This gave teammate Fernando Alonso—who had just pitted—a strategic advantage, allowing him to win the race.

The incident came to light a year later. On September 16, 2009, Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds resigned from Renault, and the team chose not to contest the accusations. Five days later, the FIA banned Flavio Briatore from participating in motorsport events and sanctioned Symonds.

Flavio Briatore’s heavier punishment was justified by the seriousness of the offense and his continued denial of involvement, whereas Symonds’ penalty took into account his admission of guilt and remorse. However, the French court annulled the FIA’s ruling, deeming it illegal. The FIA later reached a settlement, and the suspensions officially ended by 2012.

Over time, both men returned to roles within the world of Formula 1, though their presence remains controversial. The scandal still has lasting effects: Felipe Massa has filed a lawsuit in an attempt to claim the 2008 world title, and other teams are closely monitoring the situation, wondering about potential future implications.