Flavio Briatore is being pushed as Ferrari’s new F1 boss, with Ignazio La Russa adding political weight to mounting speculation.
Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari team principal, called for calm throughout the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, urging an end to the persistent rumors surrounding the Scuderia, his team, and his own position. Nevertheless, the Italian press continues to fuel the speculation.
Flavio Briatore, executive advisor to Alpine, has now publicly received support from Ignazio La Russa, the President of the Italian Senate, to take over leadership at Ferrari. These comments have, unsurprisingly, made headlines across the Italian media this afternoon.
The team based in Maranello has endured a challenging season so far, leading to recent reports in Italy suggesting that Fred Vasseur’s role as team principal may be under threat.
Briatore returned to F1 last year, joining the Alpine team and working alongside Oliver Oakes. However, following Oakes’ sudden departure last month, Briatore assumed the responsibilities of team principal.
Despite his Italian heritage, Briatore has never worked in Formula 1 for Ferrari.
“Flavio is a close friend. Whatever he has done, he has always done very well,” said La Russa, who is also the founder of the far-right party ‘Brothers of Italy,’ in an interview with La Politica nel Pallone.
“However, I don’t believe that a great manager alone would be enough to lead Ferrari at this moment.”
“I think – I don’t follow motorsport much, unlike my son – that the situation requires going far beyond simply changing the team principal.”
Nevertheless, La Russa believes that Briatore could have a positive impact on the Ferrari team.
“Flavio would be a valuable asset who could revolutionize the team. He is capable not only of pushing things forward but also of ensuring they are ultimately achieved.”