Flavio Briatore Backed by Italian Senate President for Potential Ferrari Team Principal Role Amid Internal Pressure
Flavio Briatore, a long-standing and often controversial figure in Formula 1, has received a high-profile endorsement to lead Ferrari’s F1 operation. Ignazio La Russa, the President of the Italian Senate and a prominent political figure, has expressed strong support for Flavio Briatore to potentially take over the role of team principal at Scuderia Ferrari—should current boss Fred Vasseur depart.
Flavio Briatore, who made his return to the F1 paddock in 2023, currently serves as executive advisor to Alpine and recently stepped into team principal duties following the abrupt departure of Oliver Oakes. His reappearance in the sport has reignited both intrigue and debate, particularly due to his complex history in F1 and his absence from any previous association with the Maranello-based team.
Despite being Italian by nationality, Briatore has never held a role at Ferrari throughout his extensive Formula 1 career. Nevertheless, as Ferrari continues to endure a challenging 2025 season, fresh speculation is circulating in Italian media that Fred Vasseur’s position may be in jeopardy. The team’s inconsistent performance and strategic missteps have drawn criticism and raised concerns among fans and stakeholders.
In recent comments made during an appearance on La Politica nel Pallone, La Russa shared his belief that the former Renault team boss would be a valuable addition to the Ferrari organization. He stated that he had always seen Flavio Briatore as an individual who excelled in his ventures, regardless of past controversies. However, Ignazio La Russa also acknowledged that Ferrari’s current struggles go deeper than leadership alone. In his view, simply replacing the team principal would not be sufficient to resolve the Scuderia’s systemic issues.
While Ignazio La Russa admitted he does not consider himself an expert on engines, he emphasized that broader structural changes are likely necessary to restore Ferrari’s competitiveness. That said, he maintained that Briatore’s experience, energy, and ability to drive change could inject the kind of dynamic leadership Ferrari currently lacks.
La Russa further elaborated that Flavio Briatore’s potential appointment could bring about a significant shift in direction. At 75 years old, the former Benetton and Renault team boss still possesses what Ignazio La Russa described as a rare ability not just to grow within a role but to implement meaningful action. He was confident that the Italian manager could be a “resource” who would disrupt the status quo in a constructive manner—qualities Ferrari may need as it seeks to reclaim its place at the top of the Formula 1 pecking order.
As pressure mounts on Fred Vasseur amid a turbulent campaign, the possibility of a leadership change at Ferrari remains a hot topic in both political and sporting circles. And with influential endorsements such as Ignazio La Russa’s now entering the conversation, Flavio Briatore’s name could quickly move from speculative suggestion to serious consideration within the corridors of Maranello.
