Outside Line: Just got an email from counsel for Mr. Flavio Briatore

Friday, 04 April 2025 at 19:26

Dear Counsel for Mr. Flavio Briatore,

Agreed the image of Mr. Flavio Briatore behind bars was tasteless and ambitious. It is a graphic (photo montage) but to avoid any detraction from the key issue in the post, we agree to remove the prison image.

The truth is always paramount here on GRANDPRIX247. The issue that must not be clouded, is the grave neglect and undeniable injustice that Jack Doohan has been subject to by the Alpine F1 Team. Which by all accounts is led by Flavio Briatore, or highly influenced by him in his capacity as "Executive Advisor" who hired the real team principal Ollie Oakes.

With that said, and for the record, I think it is near criminal, unbelievably irresponsible and short-sighted by Formula 1, FIA, GPDA, Pierre Gasly (a close friend of Jules Bianchi) and the Alpine F1 Team to find it OK that a rookie, in Doohan's already dire situation, be forced to sit out a much-needed FP1 session at Suzuka for the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix. Unacceptable.

Indeed, if you refer to the coverage of the weekend thus far in Japan, other media outlets have questioned Alpine's choice to place Ryo Hirakawa in Doohan's car, not only us. Me being me, I have been more vocal than others because racing deaths have touched me personally too often, from too young in Formula 1 and other motorsport.

My worst fears were not realised today at Suzuka, thankfully. Doohan is healthy despite the significant prang, and we also have modern safety standards in Formula 1 to thank for that.

But the question remains? Who made this decision within the Alpine F1 Team to make Doohan sit out FP1? He or she or they are the culprits. And as I said this has all the hallmarks of a Briatore hand in the affair. And if it is not him, as "Executive Advisor" he should fire the person who came up with the idea let alone allow it to happen. That's my opinion.

Please list the insults and falsehoods that distress Mr Briatore

Nevertheless, in our constant quest for the truth I am keen for you to help me with the following so as to proceed and correct wrongs which is the purpose of this response:

Please list the "insults" you believe distress Mr. Briatore;
Please list the "groundless and defamatory allegations" that you believe damage your client;

We cannot "retract" the article as you command in your email. That's not how we work. Instead, in the name of truth we will redact and even issue an apology when you provide the abovementioned lists. Please help correct the "falsehoods" at your earliest convenience.

While you are at it please check for anything that may offend Mr. Briatore in my follow-up opinion piece, written after Doohan nearly hurt himself at Suzuka today. Read it here>>>
Any falsehoods in this report? If so, please point them out.

In closing, as the crux of this issue was Doohan's safety in the wake of no track time on a deadly venue - his forced absence from FP1 remains a 'crime' by Alpine in my book. If I am wrong I need to be corrected. Please do so.

In closing for you to consider, I suggest a solution to correct my apparent misconceptions and make right the distress caused, I am more than happy to do a live or recorded (unedited) discussion on the matter with Mr. Briatore for our 2 Soft Compounds podcast.

Or on the Alpine F1 Team X (aka Twitter) account or any of your social media accounts. Let's set the record straight together, please. ASAP.