Flav Speaks

[narain fan 0]

Flavio Briatore: Priority is what makes the car go faster

What do you think of the R26?

"The first tests showed that it is a good car. I want to congratulate our teams in Viry and Enstone. There was a very tight timescale for the R26, because we wanted to run the car as early as possible in order to prepare well for Bahrain."

The V8 engine ran on track late relative to the competition. Is that a problem?

"The season begins in March. We planned the development of the new engine for this date. I don’t see the point of testing an engine in November to have it fail after three laps. We did 1000 km in our first test. That’s what matters."

Fernando Alonso will leave Renault at the end of the year. Will his decision disrupt the team this season?

"Not at all. Fernando is a professional. He will do everything the maximum to defend his title. On our side, the team will be doing everything it can to help both drivers achieve this. Don’t forget Benetton had a similar situation early in 1995, when Michael Schumacher announced he was leaving for Ferrari. That didn’t stop us fighting for the title."

What are you expecting from Giancarlo Fisichella?

"Giancarlo did an excellent job last year. Fernando won the drivers’ championship, but we took the constructors’ title as well. To do that, a team needs two strong drivers. Fisico is now more comfortable in the team, and he is one of the best out there. He can have a very good season."

Your budget is not the highest on the grid, but the team is still competitive…

"I have a simple rule: the priority is what makes the car go faster. We are proud of the efficiency of the team. Last year, Renault won the championship with three times’ less money than some of our competitors."

The R26 has been unveiled and the season is now officially underway. Does that bring pressure?

"There is always pressure at the start of a championship. There is no point hiding from it. 2005 was an exceptional season for us, and we hope to be able to do it again."

Renault

gp2006.com

[narain fan 0]

BRIATORE TIPS FISI FOR 2006 SUCCESS

Last Updated: Wednesday, 01, February, 2006, 11:54

Renault F1 chairman Flavio Briatore has tipped Giancarlo Fisichella for success in 2006 at the launch of the team's R26 challenger in Monaco.

The Italian reckons that Fisichella has never been in a better position to challenge for a world championship than this year, particularly in the wake of Fernando Alonso's announcement that he will switch to McLaren at the end of 2006.

"Knowing that Fernando is leaving will put him [Fisichella] in top psychological condition," Briatore was quoted in Gazzetta dello Sport.

"If he could just develop a bit more nastiness he would certainly be able to challenge for the world championship."

As well as suggesting that Fisi needs a tougher shell, Flav also hinted that the R26 may suit the Roman better than its predecessor did.

"He has all the cards he needs and on top of that, a car which was not built – like the 2005 one – for Alonso's requirements," added Briatore.[/u]

Fisichella agrees that he has a huge opportunity ahead of him in 2006 and that already he has found the new car to his liking in testing.

"The 2005 car forced you to be more aggressive on turn-in which is how Fernando drives while my style is a bit smoother," he said.

"The R26 however, with the lighter engine and different weight distribution is more suited to me.

"Even if Ferrari and Honda seem more competitive at the moment in race simulations they are losing 1 to 1.5s to us."

The Italian added that it was fortune rather than personality that cost him dear in 2005.

"From now on I will go around with two daggers ready to kill someone," he said.

"Joking apart being nasty is not part of my character all I need is a bit more luck than I had last year."

Briatore's remarks could be perceived as a way of stoking the inter-team rivalry between the two, or simply piling pressure on Fisichella to deliver.

But whatever the motive it certainly hit a spot with Alonso who added: "I don't see how it is possible to make a car for one person and don't forget it was Giancarlo who won the first race last year.

"Anyway I am pleased if Fisi says he will be stronger this year, it means this team will be more competitive in 2005."

itv-f1.com

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Interesting stuff...

[narain fan 0]

FLAV HAS ANOTHER POP AT MCLAREN

Last Updated: Wednesday, 01, February, 2006, 18:18

Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has said he’s got no problem with reigning champion Fernando Alonso going to rival outfit McLaren at the end of 2006.

But at the launch of Renault's new R28 in Monaco, the famed talent-spotter and driver manager repeated his accusation however that McLaren chief Ron Dennis was out-of-order to announce his poaching of Alonso with the 2006 campaign still to run.

"I believe it is just for a driver to want to change teams, to get new stimulation,” Briatore said in Gazzetta dello Sport this week.

“But I don't find it at all classy that another team announces the hiring of another driver one year in advance.”

McLaren announced in December that newly-crowned champion Alonso would drive for the team in 2007.

Briatore – in his dual role as Alonso’s manager and Renault’s team boss – had to then issue a public statement saying he’d had no role in the deal, and that Alonso had been acting on his own accord.

But Briatore is particularly angered by McLaren's quick announcement of the deal, as he believes the news was used as a mask for McLaren’s failure to lift the crown in 2005.

"There are some people who, to hide the problems of the press, throw themselves into the future,” he said.

Briatore has also played down suggestions that he may leave his role leading Renault's F1 team, following the announcement that Renault chairman Patrick Faure is leaving the French car firm at the end of the year.

"As long as I continue to enjoy myself, and I’m able to do this job well, then I will stay,” Briatore said.

“And, for the moment, it seems as if I am doing a better job than Ron Dennis and Frank Williams.”

itv

[Senna 0]

Hmm

[ben_3001 0]

Hmm

[monza gorilla 1]

Aarrgh!! My eyes!! Make it go away!!

I think it's just a really bad case of sour grapes on Flavio's part.

*I didn't know he was so tall*

[dribbler 6]

That's from his own fashion line, Billionaire clothing, seriously amazing clothing....but you seriously almost have to be a billionaire to afford a piece

Is Flav in a barbershop quartet?

[monza gorilla 1]

[pumpdoc 2]

Aarrgh!! My eyes!! Make it go away!!

I think it's just a really bad case of sour grapes on Flavio's part.

*I didn't know he was so tall*

.........or that FA is such a midget (for the humour less, yes I know he's sitting down )

Flav dresses like an Italian pimp

[Redline 0]

Reminds me of Rod Hull and Emu.

Wonder if Flav can say "Bottle of beer" without moving his lips.

Come to think of it, Flav can't say anything in English, using lips or not.

"Lok attami wen ayya tokkayu!"

(tr. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!")

Only those of you over age 50 will understand that.

[pumpdoc 2]

Reminds me of Rod Hull and Emu.

Wonder if Flav can say "Bottle of beer" without moving his lips.

Come to think of it, Flav can't say anything in English, using lips or not.

"Lok attami wen ayya tokkayu!"

(tr. "Look at me when I'm talking to you!")

Only those of you over age 50 will understand that.

can't remember if it was DeNiro or Brando