Flavio Briatore Q&A

"The official start for me is 2002, for sure. We take a lot of risks this year because we have a completely new concept of engine, and we have a new partnership for tyres. But everything is done for looking good in the future. We know at this moment we are not there, we know Bridgestone have a kind of advantage in respect of Michelin, but we don't forget that there are three years of development in the grooved tyres that Bridgestone have. But from what I see now, the time of reaction of Michelin is quite amazing, and I hope in the middle of the season we understand better Bridgestone, and I understand better our engine, and we are competitive. But I don't expect anything for this year, because it's always one year to put together the team and put together the players in the team, and try and build up the team for 2002."



"When I came back it was, as you know, a kind of disaster. I believe we've seen the results as well. It's very difficult to improve the results immediately, because you need to turn around a lot of situations, not only add one designer or two designers. We've had a lot of people join the team, and now it's a question to amalgamate everybody, to make sure that everybody is pushing in the same direction. But the motivation is there. It needs a lot of work, but I hope in the end of 2001 we are there."



"Eventually we have the arrival in May of Mark Smith, and we have another one or two important arrivals, but we can't discuss them now because we are still in confidential agreements. I believe in the middle of the season we'll have the team for the future of Renault. But we need to suffer a little bit, like every team when everything is new, so I'm working very hard for 2002."



"We decided in the end to start with a new engine. Sure it was much more sensible with the old one if you want, but if you start with the old one you never develop properly the new one. If you want to take the risk, like I tell you before, new engine and new tyres, then it's exactly the year we need to do this."



"I think the first job he's done very well is motivate Fisichella, which is a very good plus! And after that we'll see. But we are very happy, the atmosphere in the team is very good, and it's a fantastic relationship between Giancarlo and Jenson - it's very, very good. It reminds me of the time with Nelson Piquet and Alessandro Nannini. This was the last time we had this kind of situation, and it's fantastic."



"I hope. And I hope Fisichella motivates Jenson as well."