FLAVIO IS GREATEST SHOWMAN

From managing restaurants and Schumacher to winning four world titles, the playboy of the pit lane has dreams for his latest model... taking Alpine up the grid

- BY DANIEL MOXON F1 reporter in Barcelona

THE departures of lovable driver Daniel Ricciardo and controversial team chief Christian Horner might have raised concerns that Formula One is losing its ‘personalities’. But just a few minutes in the company of Flavio Briatore puts that fear back in the garage.

The Italian’ story is as colourful as his trademark sunglasses.

The man who started life as a restaurant manager and insurance salesman can add a string of supermodel exes, a previous ban from F1 and a past life as a fugitive from the law to his CV.