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Flavio Briatore at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix.
Flavio Briatore at the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix. The 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix was the first round of the 2006 Formula One World Championship held on March 12, 2006 at the Bahrain International Circuit

Flavio Briatore (born April 12, 1950) is an Italian businessman. Events 467 - Anthemius is elevated to Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. He is managing director of the Renault Formula One team and joint owner of Queens Park Rangers FC. 1970s and 1980s 1977 Renault first involvement in Formula One was made by the Renault Sport subsidiary Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English football club, based in Shepherds Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in West London

Contents

Early life and Benetton career

Briatore was born in Verzuolo near Cuneo, Italy, in the Maritime Alps, from a family of elementary school teachers. Verzuolo is a Comune (municipality in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region Piedmont, located about 66 km southwest of Cuneo ( Coni in Piedmontese) with a population of c 55000 inhabitants is the capital of the Piedmontese Province Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest The Maritime Alps are a Mountain range in the south-western part of the Alps. He got a diploma in Land Surveying at Fassino di Busca's high school with the lowest grades. Surveying is the technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional space Position of points and the distances and angles between High school is the name used in some parts of the world (in particular Scotland, North America and Australia) to describe an institution Briatore found early work as a ski instructor and restaurant manager. He opened a restaurant named Tribüla, which was Briatore's nickname. The restaurant eventually closed.

In the 1970s he lived in Cuneo and became an assistant to businessman Attilio Dutto, owner of the Paramatti Vernici (formerly owned by Michele Sindona). This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Cuneo ( Coni in Piedmontese) with a population of c 55000 inhabitants is the capital of the Piedmontese Province Michele Sindona ( May 8 1920 - March 22 1986) was an Italian Banker and convicted Felon. Dutto was killed on March 21, 1979 in a car bomb attack ascribed to the Red Brigades. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the Italian group "Red Brigade" may also refer to the Japanese Red Army/Anti-Imperialist International Brigade.

Briatore next moved to Milan and worked in the Italian stock exchange. Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. The Borsa Italiana Sp A, based in Milan, is Italy 's main Stock exchange. During this period, he met Luciano Benetton, founder of the Benetton clothing company. Four members of the Italian Benetton family founded the Benetton Group S Benetton Group SpA is a global clothing Brand, based in Treviso, Italy. The two became friends and eventually business partners.

Briatore was involved in the bankruptcy of Paramatti, and eventually convicted on various counts of fraud in Bergamo and Milan to 4 years and 6 months of prison. Bergamo ( Bèrghem in Lombard, antiquated Wälsch-Bergen in German) is a town in Lombardy, Italy, about To avoid imprisonment, he fled to Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands, where he kept close relations to Benetton and opened some Benetton stores. Saint Thomas is an Island in the Caribbean Sea, a County and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI an unincorporated The United States Virgin Islands is a group of Islands in the Caribbean that are an Insular area of the United States. [1]

When Benetton opened his first five stores in the United States in 1979, he appointed Briatore as director of the group's American operations. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar)

Due to Benetton's unorthodox methods of franchising, the chain experienced a brief boom in popularity in the US. By 1989, there were eight hundred stores in the United States. Year 1989 ( MCMLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar) Briatore, having taken a cut of each franchising agreement, became very wealthy.

Benetton were also known for their divisive and attention-grabbing advertisements. Briatore explained how they raised the company's profile: "We decided to do something very controversial that people would pick up on - 50% of people thought it was great and 50% thought it was awful, but in the meantime everyone was talking about Benetton. " [2]

As store owners began to complain of competition from other Benetton stores, the number of stores decreased to two hundred and Briatore began to look for a new business.

Formula One

Benetton Formula

Briatore attended his first Formula One race, the Australian Grand Prix, in 1988, having in the past proclaimed his lack of interest in the sport. The 1988 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at the Adelaide Street Circuit, Adelaide, on November 13, 1988. The 1988 Formula One season was the 39th FIA Formula One World Championship season Luciano Benetton appointed him commercial director of his Formula One team, Benetton Formula Ltd. (formerly Toleman), and when he fired the team management shortly thereafter, Briatore was promoted to managing director and set about turning Benetton into a competitive team. Benetton Formula Ltd, commonly referred to simply as Benetton, was a Formula One constructor that participated from 1986 to 2001. Toleman Motosport was a Formula One constructor based in the U

He hired and quickly fired engineer John Barnard. John Barnard (born 1946 is a Race car designer and is currently Technical Director for the Team KR Moto GP team Barnard's successor was Tom Walkinshaw, whose greatest achievement with the team was to lure young driver Michael Schumacher from the Jordan team after his first F1 race in 1991. Tom Walkinshaw (born November 17 1950 Mauldslie Farm near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland) is a Scottish racing car driver Early history Jordan's success in lower formulae inspired the creation of a Formula One programme for the 1991 season. The 1991 Formula One season was the 42nd FIA Formula One World Championship season Briatore, too, contributed to this achievement. The Times observed that Briatore knew Schumacher could be the best and built a team around him at Benetton[3] that eventually beat the Williams Number 2 driver Damon Hill after 3 times world champion Ayrton Senna was killed at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register. Damon Graham Devereux Hill OBE (born 17 September 1960 in London) is a retired World Championship winning British racing driver from England Ayrton Senna da Silva ( pronounced, March 21, 1960 &ndash May 1, 1994) was a Brazilian racing driver and triple The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on May 1 1994 at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.

Schumacher went on to win at Spa in 1992 and again at Estoril in 1993 before claiming the World Drivers' Championship in 1994 and 1995. The 1992 Belgian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Spa-Francorchamps on August 30, 1992. The 1992 Formula One season was the 43rd FIA Formula One World Championship season The 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Estoril on September 26, 1993. The 1993 Formula One season was the 44th FIA Formula One World Championship season By season The 1994 Formula One season was the 45th FIA Formula One World Championship season "F1 1995" redirects here For the video games based on the 1995 Formula One season see F1 95. The Benetton team won the World Constructors' Championship in 1995. By season

Late in 1994, Briatore purchased the ailing Ligier team to acquire its stock of Renault engines. The 1994 Formula One season was the 45th FIA Formula One World Championship season Ligier is a French Automobile maker created by former racing driver and rugby player Guy Ligier. 1970s and 1980s 1977 Renault first involvement in Formula One was made by the Renault Sport subsidiary FIA regulations, however, did not permit him to own the team, so he sold it to Walkinshaw. He took on complete management of Benetton, but when Schumacher and a number of key technical staffers departed for Ferrari in 1996, the team slipped to the middle of the grid. Scuderia Ferrari is the name for the Gestione Sportiva the division of the Ferrari automobile company concerned with racing The 1996 Formula One season was the 47th FIA Formula One World Championship season

Briatore purchased a share of the Minardi team in 1996, but being unable to sell it to British American Tobacco, as he had hoped, he sold out to fellow owners Giancarlo Minardi and Gabriele Rumi. Minardi was an Automobile racing team and constructor founded in 1979 by Giancarlo Minardi. The 1996 Formula One season was the 47th FIA Formula One World Championship season British American Tobacco Plc (, KLSE: BAT is a leading British -based Tobacco company Giancarlo Minardi (born 18 September, 1947) is the founder and former Managing Director of the now-defunct Minardi Formula One team Benetton fired him in 1997 in favour of David Richards. The 1997 Formula One season was the 48th FIA Formula One World Championship season David Pender Richards CBE (born 3 June 1952 Wales is the chairman of Prodrive, and a former team principal of the BAR and Benetton

From 1998 to 2000, he sold Renault engines, re-badged them as Supertecs, to Williams, Benetton, BAR and Arrows. The 1998 Formula One season was the 49th FIA Formula One World Championship season The 2000 Formula One season was the 51st FIA Formula One World Championship season 1970s and 1980s 1977 Renault first involvement in Formula One was made by the Renault Sport subsidiary Supertec was a Formula One Engine supplier in 1999 and 2000. Supertec supplied Renault -designed Mecachrome -built Not to be confused with Frank Williams Racing Cars, formed by Frank Williams 1967 Benetton Formula Ltd, commonly referred to simply as Benetton, was a Formula One constructor that participated from 1986 to 2001. British American Racing was a Formula One constructor that competed in the sport from 1999 to 2005 Arrows Grand Prix International was a Formula One team active from 1977 to 2002 [2]

Renault F1

In 2000, Renault announced its plans to return to Formula One with the purchase of the Benetton Formula team. Briatore returned as managing director and team principal, replacing Rocco Benetton. Rocco Benetton (born September 29 1969 in Treviso Veneto Italy is the former chief executive of the Benetton Formula One team The team raced as Benetton-Renault in 2001 before becoming Renault F1 in 2002.

Briatore has a reputation as a talent-scout, and probably his greatest 'find' has been Fernando Alonso. Fernando Alonso Díaz (born July 29, 1981 in Oviedo, Spain) is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and a two-time Briatore met with the teenage Spaniard in 1999. As his manager, Briatore secured him a race drive with Minardi in 2001, and promoted him to test-driver for Renault in 2002. [2]

For 2003, Briatore fired race-driver Jenson Button and replaced him with Alonso. Jenson Alexander Lyons Button, often called Jense, (born 19 January, 1980) is a British Formula One racing driver from England When he replaced Button the outcry was huge, but Briatore stated, 'Time will tell if I am wrong. '[4]

Renault won both championships in 2005, with Alonso winning the drivers' title, but he turned his back on Briatore to sign for rivals McLaren for 2007. McLaren, founded in 1963 by New Zealander Bruce McLaren (1937&ndash1970 is a Formula One team based in Woking, Surrey, UK Despite this, Renault and Alonso retained their titles in 2006. [2]

Briatore also acts as manager for Mark Webber and Heikki Kovalainen, and formerly managed Jarno Trulli. Early career Mark Webber was born in Queanbeyan, New South Wales, son of Alan the local Motorcycle dealer Heikki Johannes Kovalainen (born October 19, 1981 in Suomussalmi, Finland) is a racing driver. Jarno Trulli (born July 13[[ 974]] age) is an Italian Formula One Auto racing driver currently driving for the Toyota team Despite winning the 2004 Monaco Grand Prix, Trulli was dropped from Renault by Briatore and replaced by Giancarlo Fisichella. The 2004 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One race held on May 23, 2004 at the Circuit de Monaco. Giancarlo Fisichella (born January 14, 1973 in Rome, Italy) also known as Fisico or Fisi, is an Italian racing [2]

In April 2006, Renault F1's new president Alain Dassas stated that having a contract with Briatore for 2007 was 'a key factor' in securing the company's commitment to the sport; 'and we will do everything to ensure Flavio stays. ' [5] Briatore was duly confirmed as staying at Renault for the 2007 and 2008 seasons on 6 September 2006. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. [6]

Briatore replaced Alonso with Kovalainen for 2007, saying: "With Kovalainen, I hope to find the anti-Alonso". [7]

He used the F1 espionage scandal that year to hit back at McLaren's Ron Dennis, saying: "Here is a team that acquired an advantage illegally. The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy also known as "Spygate" involves allegations that the McLaren Formula One team was passed confidential technical Ron Dennis CBE (born June 1, 1947) is the Chairman, CEO and 15% owner of the McLaren Group. Just read the regulations: for intellectual property theft the punishment is exclusion. . . Ron Dennis… was the one who protested us on the mass damper. He is not the immaculate saint he pretends to be on his statements. " [8]

Stance on the future of F1

Briatore has always spoken out about his desires to see F1 provide better entertainment. In 1994 he said: "All the team owners are orientated towards the technical side rather than the entertainment side, and this is a big fault. Every meeting that I go to, people are talking about pistons and suspensions. Nobody goes to a race to see that kind of thing… People come to see Schumacher and Senna racing each other. " [2]

Twelve years later his feelings were much the same: "The people in charge should be businessmen, as they are in Hollywood, not ex-engineers. Nothing costs more, and delivers less entertainment, than hidden technology. And that’s what engineers love most of all. " [9]

In 2007 he even went so far as to suggest that Grands Prix be split into two separate races as in the GP2 series. For the article about the Asian version of the GP2 series see GP2 Asia Series. [10]

Business Interests

Briatore has developed a diverse portfolio of business interests outside Formula 1, many of which revolve around fashion.

He created the Billionaire brand in 1998 and owns a club in Sardinia under that name. Sardinia (sɑrˈdɪnɪə Sardegna Sardigna or Sardinnya is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily) A line of Billionaire fashion and sportswear is available as well as a haute couture line, Billionaire Italian Couture. In addition to that he opened Cipriani's restaurant in Mayfair, London in 2004 and owns the pharmaceuticals company Pierrel. Mayfair is an area of central London, England, within the City of Westminster. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. He also operates a Tuscan beach club and Lion in the Sun, a holiday resort in Kenya. Tuscany (Toscana is a region in Italy. It has an area of 22990 km² and a population of about 3 The Republic of Kenya is a country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the north Somalia to the northeast Tanzania to the south [2]

In 2007 he was linked to a takeover of English Championship Club, Queens Park Rangers, from a Monaco based consortium led by Gianni Paladini. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English football club, based in Shepherds Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in West London For other uses see Monaco (disambiguation Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco ( French: Principauté de Monaco; Monégasque Gianni Paladini (born 1946 in Napoli, Italy) is the current Chairman of Queens Park Rangers football club after replacing Bill Power [11] [1] On September 1, 2007 it was officially announced that Briatore (along with Bernie Ecclestone) had bought Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Football Club. Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone (born 28 October 1930 near Bungay Suffolk, England) is the president and CEO of [2]

Queens Park Rangers Football Club

On 7th November 2007, Briatore completed his takeover of Queens Park Rangers together with Bernie Ecclestone. Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English football club, based in Shepherds Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in West London Bernard Charles "Bernie" Ecclestone (born 28 October 1930 near Bungay Suffolk, England) is the president and CEO of

In December 2007, Briatore and Ecclestone were joined as co-owners of QPR by multi-billionaire Lakshmi Mittal, the 5th richest person in the world, who bought 20% of the club [3]

Despite initial approval amongst loyal fans, Briatore has since raised their ire by announcing in an interview published in Marketing Week that he does not believe fans should have any say in the running of the club. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Lakshmi Mittal (or Lakshmi Narayan Mittal, लक्ष्मि नारायण मित्तल born 15 June 1950 is a London -based Indian This was followed by the announcement that season tickets at the club for the 2008 / 2009 season were to be increased by more that 50% in some areas of the ground, with under 16's prices being hit particularly hard.

Personal life

In the late 1990s, Briatore gained notoriety among European tabloids for his romantic relationships with supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Adriana Volpe, and Heidi Klum. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 Naomi Campbell (born 22 May 1970 is an English model, Singer, Author, Actress, and Fashion designer. Adriana Volpe ( May 31, 1973, Trento, Italy) is a former model and ex-girlfriend of Formula One manager Flavio Briatore. Heidi Klum (ˈklʊm born June 1 1973 is a German model, actress TV presenter, Fashion designer, Television producer and occasional singer Klum gave birth to Briatore's only child, a daughter named Helene "Leni" Klum, on 4 May 2004. Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " According to Klum, Briatore is not involved in the child's life. [12]

According to the Italian gossip media, Briatore is engaged to marry the 28-year-old 'Wonderbra' model Elisabetta Gregoraci.

References

  1. ^ Interview with Briatore, "La Repubblica"
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Who's Who: Flavio Briatore. F1Fanatic. co. uk (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica.
  3. ^ Alonso making life cheap and cheerful for his paymaster - Sport - Times Online
  4. ^ Eason, Kevin. "Alonso making life cheap and cheerful for his paymaster", The Times, News International, 2005-09-09. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1000 - Battle of Svolder, Viking Age. 1379 - Treaty of Neuberg, splitting the Austrian Retrieved on 2006-11-01. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi  
  5. ^ F1 | Formula 1 - Renault: We must keep Briatore - ITV Sport
  6. ^ F1 News > Renault re-aligns aspirations
  7. ^ F1's biggest bombshells. F1Fanatic. co. uk (2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica.
  8. ^ Briatore: 'Throw McLaren out'. F1Fanatic. co. uk (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica.
  9. ^ F1 2006 review: In their own words. F1Fanatic. co. uk (2006). Retrieved on 2007-08-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica.
  10. ^ Debate: Are F1 races too long?. F1Fanatic. co. uk (2007). Retrieved on 2007-08-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica.
  11. ^ QPR REPORT: QPR-Flavior Briatore Takeover Update
  12. ^ William Keck (2007-12-03). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French [http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/celebwatch/2007-12-09-heidi-klum_N.htm Celeb Watch: Heidi Klum relishes her model family life]. USA Today. USA TODAY is a national American daily Newspaper published by the Gannett Company. Retrieved on 2007-12-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. "December 4th" redirects here For the song by Jay-Z, see December 4th (song.

External links

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