Formula One news

Briatore ponders what might have been

Flavio Briatore was in a positive but disappointed mood after Sunday's results. Fernando Alonso qualified for the front row of the grid in China for the first time since Barcelona last year, but the Spanish driver's race was seriously comprised on lap seven as he pitted immediately before the safety car peeled off.

Briatore (right) talks with Williams' Adam Parr on the grid

With the team believing the safety car would remain circulating for a greater number of laps, the heavier fuelled Renault struggled to make an impression initially, before eventually rising through the field to finish ninth. "Double victory for the wrong two cars!," teased team principal Briatore of the victorious Renault-powered Red Bulls. "No, I'm happy for Red Bull and I'm happy for the engine, but we were very unlucky with Renault. Fernando was really, really unlucky; the safety car destroyed our race. Maybe we called him in a little bit too early.

The Italian, who has recently hit out at the Brawn team with regards to their share of TV rights money, also appeared to be critical towards the team's second driver, Nelson Piquet. "Jesus Christ! It was a very, very bad race," Briatore continued. "I understand it if you spin once, but this was kind of a contest for 'the more you spin, the more points'. He needs a normal race, but this is just the beginning of the season - at least we have a really good car now."

more news

• 08 Nov.
  • Hamilton learned a lot in 2009
• 07 Nov.
  • Alonso enjoys first Ferrari factory visit
  • Brawn looking forward to Senna debut
• 06 Nov.
  • Follow GPUpdate.net on Twitter!
  • Wind tunnel operator sues Force India
  • Toyota-assisted Kobayashi eyeing Lotus seat
  • Sutil: Abu Dhabi 'a shame' for Force India
  • Lee McKenzie's End of Season Review 2009
  • Lotus wanting experienced drivers
  • Anthony Hamilton: Räikkönen the best option for McLaren
• 05 Nov.
  • Renault decision to come in December
  • GPUpdate TV: Vettel receives sports car prize
  • Ecclestone: 2 days for Silverstone to sign
  • Etihad and Aldar to pay damages to Force India
  • 'F1 organisers to blame for lost teams' - Ferrari
  • Hülkenberg to test Williams next month
• 04 Nov.
  • FIA warns again: Credit crunch will win
  • Renault holds emergency meeting about F1 future
  • FOTA thanks Toyota's Howett
  • Ekström beats Schumacher for Race of Champions
  • Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace
  • Photos: Race of Champions 2009
  • Pirelli not interested in F1
  • Vettel and Schumacher win ROC Nations Cup
  • Toyota highlights reasons for F1 exit
  • Official: Toyota leaves Formula One
  • An interview with Kamui Koabayshi
• 03 Nov.
  • 'Toyota set to end Formula 1 project'
  • Red Bull to announce engine partner 'very shortly'
  • Schumacher: Comeback was for Felipe
  • Trulli on lookout for clear racing rules
  • Räikkönen too expensive, says Brawn
  • Horner aware of 2010 challengers
  • Michael: Hülkenberg following Hamilton-like path
• 02 Nov.
  • Brawn thanks Barrichello for contribution
  • Kubica to drive in French rally
  • 2010: The grid so far
  • Alonso won't drive Ferrari until February
  • Williams confirms Barrichello and Hülkenberg for 2010
  • Optimism at Renault for next year

Homepage