14 replies to this topic

[Todd]

From Atlas F1:
Trulli to Drive for Benetton in 2002, Says Briatore

Monday October 16th, 2000

Current Jordan driver Jarno Trulli will drive for the Benetton team in 2002, according to Flavio Briatore.

The Italian driver, who moved to Jordan at the beginning of this season and whose contract will expire at the end of 2001, is likely to team up with Briton Jenson Button in 2002, as Benetton boss Briatore confirmed.

"Next year Giancarlo Fisichella and Jenson Button will be our two drivers," Briatore said. "But in 2002 Trulli will take the place of Fisichella."

Briatore, who has supported Trulli's career since 1995 when he raced in the German F3 Championship, added he was also interested in another young driver to complete Benetton's line-up after the 2002 season, when his option over Button expires.

"In 2002 our option runs out on Button," he said. "After that, there are a number of drivers I'd like to see alongside Trulli, like Ralf Schumacher for example."

Trulli, who is on a loan to Jordan as Briatore owns his contract, has scored six points so far this season.

Poor Trulli. I wonder when young drivers will stop signing with the devil, er, Flavio. He had strings on Giancarlo Fisichella that kept GF from riding the peak of the Jordan team. Now that he has taken the steam out of Fisichella's career, he will separate Trulli from a factory Honda powered Jordan that should be quite good.

I'll tell you one thing. If I was Ralf Schumacher, I wouldn't sign to drive for someone who treats his drivers the way Flavio Briatore does. Frank Williams and Patrick Head are guardian angels compared to the way Flavio is treating his once-favored driver line up. Remember, he is the same guy that brought Wurz to F1 and was ready to go to court to get Fisichella back from Jordan. Until he discovers another Michael Schumacher, Flavio isn't going to be any fun to drive for.

[John B]

Sounds like kind of a quick write off for Button, talking about replacing a young, well-regarded guy who is still a race away from making his debut for your team.

As far as Ralf is concerned, Renaulton would have to do some pretty quick development to get him to leave what I think will be a very good BMW package. 1996 and 1997 showed that Renault factory support is no guarantee of success for the Benetton chassis without an elite driver.

[Todd]

John B,

I think that Briatore is only talking about Button leaving because Williams has the right to recall him after 2002. At the moment, Briatore likes Button more than either of his current drivers.

[polaris]

Well that sets up a great year for GF, knowing that he is already on the way out.

[Witt]

Briatore, the master of driver psychology.

Does this guy really have any idea how to run a successful team? Upsetting your drivers when they are not preforming well is not means to an answer. Especially a mentally soft Fisi, he does not respond well to the "hard love" Flav is dishing out.

We saw it already with Alesi, he should have been able to squeeze more out of the Benetton than he did, but Flav kept bagging him for not driving well, and pretty much had it in for him from the first race in 97, or even late 96. Flav cost Benetton more points than his drivers did.

Again, i think Wurz downfall this year was because Flav wasn't ever happy with him, but now that Flav is on Fissi's back, Wurz is all of a sudden the favourite and look, he's beggining to outperform Fissi much like he did in 98.

Flav telling the world this openly is only gonna be bad for Fissi. How's the guy supposed to stay motivated when he knows he won't be there when Renault return? I'm kinda hoping Webber shoves his contract up Flav's arse, because i don't want to see him treated like Fissi is at the moment. If i were a young driver, i'd only want to sign for Eddie Jordan, about the only boss who knows how to get the best out of a driver.

[JPMCrew]

According to Michael Schumacher, his brother was very lucky to have left the Jordan team with his driving career still alive.

About Briatore, this guy always does the same thing to his drivers. In the case of Williams, at least Sir Frank will only push his drivers when they have a good package. Briatore expects miracles even when they don't have good equipment.

I guess Briatore is already planning a Ralf Schumacher, Jarno Trulli line up. Fisichella should be happy to leave that team. My guess is that there will be plenty of takers when that happens.

[BrundleBud]

Witt> It's looking good for Jenson then...cound be on for quite a few podiums if the last 2 (Benetton) years are anything to go by.

[AyePirate]

What I find baffling is Briatore's fixation on Trulli.
Trulli is a solid driver, but no better than the
9-10th best driver in F1 (somewhere behind Fisichella).
Maybe Flavio knows something no one else knows.
Even if the Trulli/Button 2002 line up is a is a done deal,
to hang all this dirty laundry out in public seems to be on the wrong side of stupid.

[Todd]

AyePirate,

I read that Briatore is Trulli's manager. Therefore, the more Trulli makes, the more Flavio makes. This is also why Brundle says DC is a good driver and why Keke Rosberg was the first to say that Mika was as good as Schumacher. They are all the said driver's managers.

[The RedBaron]

So straightaway in 2001, Fisi has his back against the wall.
If I were Fisi, I'd go all out to prove (ie by getting results) and show what a marketable commodity I really am.
I think the situation has a knock-on effect, Rubens for example must feel uncomfortable. If RB doesn't perform next year and with Fisi being available in 2002, you can imagine the clamour in Italy for a talented Italian driver to join
the Scuderia. I would be very 'apppyy'

[AyePirate]

Originally posted by Todd
AyePirate,

I read that Briatore is Trulli's manager. Therefore, the more Trulli makes, the more Flavio makes. This is also why Brundle says DC is a good driver and why Keke Rosberg was the first to say that Mika was as good as Schumacher. They are all the said driver's managers.

I see! Add Pollock/Villeneuve to the list.
Ahh the wonderful world of F1 where
"conflict of interest" doesn't exist!;)

Thanks for the Trulli- Flav connection info

[Clatter]

Does this guy really have any idea how to run a successful team?

I think the answer to this is YES. This is the guy that fought to get MS away from Jordan and then led Bennetton to 2*WDC and WCC.

If Fisi and Trulli hadnt signed for him then they may never have got into F1 in the first place. I dont know if they were being courted by other managers, but they signed for FB of their own accord and therefore have to take responsibility for their own actions.

[Maldwyn]

Hasn't Trulli been under contract to Briatore since he joined F1, as was Fizzy. Both join Jordan then move onto Benetton...
I agree with Polaris, before the 2000 season is over Fizzy already knows he will be looking for a new ride in 2002. The pressure will be on, particularly with JB as a team-mate.

[Jackdaw]

Sounds like Flavr Flavio is one of those "grass is always greener on the other side of the fence" guys. I think his Button-love will last only until JB has a subpar race or two, then he will start pining for other drivers once again.

[Ross Stonefeld]

When the team boss is ready to sell you down the river, we call that incentive

Ross Stonefeld
Aztec International