43 replies to this topic

[Pep]

Q: Is it real the fame of playboy that you have?

No, no, I'm already very tired. When you have 850 people depending on you, you have a very hard job, budget, marketing, engineers. That's far from reality. I work between 12 and 14 hours a day. Maybe I go out at night some time. And when I do, there's always a paparazzi. The results are what counts. There you can see the work of 4 years. And the fact of winning with 2 teams 2 different championships. Nobody has ever achieved that in history. And I've made 9 drivers win races. You don't do that on discos.

Q: Has this success with Renault brought a second youth for you?

I think that we have made a fantastic job with Fernando. We have kept from 2001 the same scheme of team and in 4 years we've made something that will remain for ever in F1 history. It will be difficult that somebody wins the title younger than Fernando and no general car maker as Renault has ever won the title. I'm happy because we have shown that everything we had made with Benetton it was possible to repeat it with Renault.

Q: I interviewed you in 2001 about the possibility that Fernando run the next year and you told me: "We have to wait, he's young". Fernando now says that maybe he could have grabbed some podium in that 2002 year. ¿Do you regret that decision or it was the right one?

No. A driver always wants to race. It's normal. If you go today with Kovalainen, he'll tell you that he'd love to race in F1. It would be a suicide. Fernando has always done what we had asked of him, because he's smart. First, one season in Minardi to gain experience, later the work of a test driver, which was also very important for him. He started to know the team, because it's not only to drive the car.

Q: And you have won the title with you at the front. You are regarded in the paddock and in the rival teams as a person who doesn't know anything about F1.

This is an advantage for me because I make business, the others, I don't know what they do (laughs). When I won with Michael, we were making shirts. We knew more about that than about cars. In a world of high technology we won with Michael after 4 years, as it has happened this year with Fernando. In Melbourne 2001 we started from the last row behind Alonso's Minardi. We have built a team that the next year will be stronger, because we started from zero. Moreover, Fernando has driven fantastically, attacking when he could to gain advantage and defending in other moments.

Q: Then, why is his triumph so disputed?

Alonso is the best driver of F1, because he has won with a car worse than his rival's. That's a lot of inteligence concentrated in 24 years! He has conquered the title by far, with more than 20 points to spare. There's no discussion for me, he has won by his own merits.
It's useless that Ron Dennis keeps on talking about the right or the wrong, somebody who is unable to shake hands in the podium with Fisichella and Alonso. For me that doesn't make sense. Now Ron says that I have not honoured my signature when I have retreated in the subject of qualification for 2006. Only the stupids don't know to rectify. I was wrong and I modified my idea because all my team didn't agree. This system can be improved. Dennis keeps on saying that Raikkonen is the best driver when he has finished second, and it's not the first time. How much time has Kimi been in McLaren?

Q: 4 seasons

In 4 years, with a team that feels as the most advanced technology in the world, Raikkonen hasn't been able to win the Championship. He also fell beaten in 2003. He hasn't won after 4 years in a very consilidated team. Why is he so brave if he can't win? But I don't laugh about that.

Q: He also says that the spaniard is inconsistent as he is the typical latin driver

Inconsistent? His driver, who's not latin, in 4 years hasn't won. Alonso has won the WDC because he is the number one, and after him it's the number 2, 3 and 4. The best driver in the world is Fernando. And there's not too much to discuss. And we'll see if we win the WCC, but the important one is the WDC. The other trophy is an invention. It was invented by Ferrary some years ago when they realize they couldn't win the championship.

Q: What happened to you in the Japanese GP with the FIA?

On sunday they penalized us without any reason. We could have won the title there. May be they were trying that the championship was more even when we arrived to the last race to improve the show. We have done it very good in all senses and we have had perfect armony. We haven't had a driver who broke his shoulder playing tennis. Our drivers do the same and nothing happens to them.

Q: Now the future. What's going to happen with the spanish champion in 2007?

I must guarantee Fernando a team that supports him and a winner car. And that's the important thing in the team, that he is happy and can win. After that, everything else will be resolved, there'll be no problems. In 2006 we keep on together and, if we keep the motivation to win, we'll see in 2007. The next year we must give him a good V8 and guarantees. I think that Fernando will win more titles than Schumacher. Mi dream is that he ends up winning 10 championships. Fernando is young, has a good image and Renault invested in him.

Q: Can Renault pay to him what other teams offer to him?

I don't speak about salaries. It's my problem and Fernando's. I have to keep him happy. He musn't have any problem

Q: Are you happy with Fisichella after his big mistake in Suzuka?

Giancarlo has arrived to the team this year. And he has built a fantastic armony with Fernando, a big complicity. I'm also happy with Giancarlo because we've arrived to the last race fighting for the championship against all these english phenomenons.

Q: Isn't Kovalainen a menace for Fisichella?

Of course not. Heikki must do like Fernando. He'll be part of the test team. He must continue with us.

(translated from http://www.as.com/ar...s&anchor=dasmot)

[Zoe]

Thanks for sharing! Quite an interesting read!

Zoe

[lanius]

A driver manager thinks that his client is best, now that's an revelation!

Thanks anyway!

[Wouter]

He keeps saying so much that the McLaren is the "stronger" car though, so does he really feel Renault should win the WCC then? After all, Renault themselves say their car is inferior

[scheivlak]

Originally posted by Wouter
He keeps saying so much that the McLaren is the "stronger" car though, so does he really feel Renault should win the WCC then? After all, Renault themselves say their car is inferior

Is the WCC a jury competition?

[ademm]

Fantastic read.
He gives required response to recent Ron Dennis' stupidities.

[Pep]

I was surprised about what he said about Ron Dennis, that he didn't want to shake hands with the Renault drivers in some podium ceremony.

And I didn't know the relationship between them was so sharp.

Also, although for me it was clear, he's confirmed that Fisi is driving for 2006 and that Kovalainen will be their main tester (although there are rumours about him joining BMW for one year).

[ademm]

Originally posted by scheivlak

Is the WCC a jury competition?

He is right in saying WCC is a joke. The driver doesnt win the crown while running on his foot. The WDC has a WCC in it.

[armonico]

Thanks Pep.

Waiting for the troop to arrive...;)

[Dolk]

Haha, great read and a great guy.

[logic]

Originally posted by ademm

Fantastic read.
He gives required response to recent Ron Dennis' stupidities.

With equal stupidity

[prty]

Originally posted by logic

With equal stupidity

Except facts seem to back him up more than Dennis
GJ on the translation though

[RedIsTheColour]

Thanks for translating that Pep, it was a good read.

[Speed_A]

I never liked neither FB nor RD but I find the difference between them to be that RD is impossible to like while FB rarely speaks so much bs and, in comparison with RD, posses certain charm.

One thing is for sure - this time I agree with FB completely.

[Wouter]

Originally posted by scheivlak

Is the WCC a jury competition?

No, but neither is the WDC. Doesn't mean that he or we can't talk about who deserves it more, as Briatore does. He doesn't just say that Alonso has more points, he says that he also drove the best.

I guess we all hope that the strongest, most deserving driver takes the WDC (and Briatore is saying this is Alonso, Raikkonen wasn't very strong according to him). Wouldn't we hope also that the strongest car wins the WCC then? After all it is a car championship.

[Daniel Lester]

I don't think I could stomach Ron Dennis either if I was in the business. The guy seems a little uptight, arrogant and complicated - could do with therapy.

[serv]

For me the best thing in any sport is good sportsmanship. And I can't believe the lack of sportsmanship with Renault these days. Yes, journalists are trying to draw blood by trying to question Alonso's achievement, that's one thing. Some of RD's statements, what is he thinking. That's lame. But these guys WON and seem still trying their best to mock and bring the opposition down with personal attacks, well that's low.

Another point is, can't think much of a manager who, in order to elevate his driver, puts his team down by labelling their achievement a worse car than rival had. Never mind any specifics really, speed, reliability, colour, whatever. But after achieving as much as a WDC, you'd be decent as a manager to let the entire team feel the achievement as theirs as well.

[jokuvaan]

Quite funny things time to time indeed, good insight of true Flavio.

[Ghostrider]

Originally posted by Pep
I'm also happy with Giancarlo because we've arrived to the last race fighting for the championship against all these english phenomenons.

, "english phenomenons".

Flavio is quite arrogant sometimes, but he is a winner and probably knows a lot more about "managing" than most of the other team bosses, after all Flavio has been succesfull in other businesses than motor racing.

Thanks Pep for translation!

[Tomecek]

Pep, thanks

Interesting

[kayemod]

He's a funny guy isn't he, and not very gracious in victory either.

Whoever you support, Alonso has driven well all year and is a worthy champion, but "not in the best car" as Flav says? That isn't much of a compliment to the Renault team. I think most would agree that the McLaren has generally been faster, but that doesn't necessarily make it a better car, championships are won by good all-rounders. I'm sure that Ron's bunch would envy several aspects of this year's Renault, especially it's traction and reliability, and I think it says a lot about Ron and Flav's respective qualities that Ron usually manages to keep any uncomplimentary thoughts of this kind to himself.

[xype]

Originally posted by Pep
And I didn't know the relationship between them was so sharp.

Dude, can you imagine having Ron Dennis as a friend? Listening to Ronspeak every goddamn race weekend? Flavio is just playing it smart.

[xype]

Originally posted by kayemod
He's a funny guy isn't he, and not very gracious in victory either.

To be fair, Renault was trying to keep it pretty low key until the title was wrapped up, it was McLaren who kept on and on about how everyone who even sees their cars or driver should have an instant, multiple orgasm. At least that is the impression I have - and Flavio is just rubbing it in now.

[kayemod]

Originally posted by xype


Dude, can you imagine having Ron Dennis as a friend? Listening to Ronspeak every goddamn race weekend?

So you'd rather listen to Flav 'nospeekadaenglish' every goddamn weekend?

[stardust]

Originally posted by ademm

Fantastic read.
He gives required response to recent Ron Dennis' stupidities.

I agree
Ron Dennis is a poor loser fool and he have a lot to learn from Flavio.

[Wouter]

Originally posted by xype


To be fair, Renault was trying to keep it pretty low key until the title was wrapped up, it was McLaren who kept on and on about how everyone who even sees their cars or driver should have an instant, multiple orgasm. At least that is the impression I have - and Flavio is just rubbing it in now.

Where did you get that impression? Isn't that more a description of Ferrari, the team that is F1, and when they are not succesful it's bad for F1 (or so it's said)?

For the rest, I think Flavio and Ron are equally unpleasant, and unsporting in their comments. Allthough Flavio is probably the more arrogant of the 2.

[xype]

Originally posted by kayemod
So you'd rather listen to Flav 'nospeekadaenglish' every goddamn weekend?

Uhm, you know that that wouldn't really bother me since I'd have to "tolerate" it sitting in a group of good looking, young ladies out to have "fun".;)

But I'd take Flavio over Dennis as someone to spent a race weekend with every day.

[kismet]

Flavio is cute when he gets all worked up because someone isn't giving him and his little empire all the respect and adoration he thinks they deserve.

[xype]

Originally posted by Wouter

Where did you get that impression? Isn't that more a description of Ferrari, the team that is F1, and when they are not succesful it's bad for F1 (or so it's said)?

I was comparing McLaren/Renault here. I completely agree that (even though I don't like Ferrari), they've been a much better sport about losing both titles this season than Renault/McLaren have been about winning them!

[Platipus]

Flavio have his own language, and i like when he talk like that!

he's Lucididy is stunning, and all his team know about him!

i like him for that, he's clear, and recon his mistakes!

[bern@rd]

Originally posted by Platipus
Flavio have his own language, and i like when he talk like that!

Does this sound not just a little bit gay?

[Cosmograph]

Originally posted by kayemod


So you'd rather listen to Flav 'nospeekadaenglish' every goddamn weekend?

Not very nice How good is your (or Ron's) Italian. At least he doesn't bore the hell out of us like Ron. Did you read the press conferance transcript ... Ron .. "I'll be brief ..." and then he goes on rambling for 500 words

My favorite line:

"We haven't had a driver who broke his shoulder playing tennis. Our drivers do the same and nothing happens to them."

Of course the English phenoms was priceless as well

[serv]

Originally posted by Cosmograph


My favorite line:

"We haven't had a driver who broke his shoulder playing tennis. Our drivers do the same and nothing happens to them."

A fanboy or a fellow caveman may see the great character and "charm" in that. For the rest of us human species, we only see the lack of manner, intelligence and maturity.

[Cosmograph]

I've played tennis for longer than Montoya. Quite competitively as well. I've not managed to injure myself by "falling" on the court. You don't find this a little suspicious (and if true pathetic) Remember the rumours of JPM falling of the motorbike and using the "tennis" excusse instead?

Interesting that you don't criticize someone who makes fun of non native speakers' abilities in English.

[RuB]

Originally posted by bern@rd

Does this sound not just a little bit gay?

are you interested or what??

[SennasCat]

Thanks for the translation.

Interesting article. I don't think Flavour Flav has been as bad this year as I thought he would have been. I spose he is following the sensible business adage of being professional on the job, wait till you are alone before you piss yourself at besting the opposition.

Come to think of it, there are no team princials who I either like (7) or respect (2). It requires more than a small degree of skill (or some ill gotten gains to be laundered) to become one.

But still hoping for an equal degree of Renno reliability next year between the cars.

[Huw Jadvantich]

All those years of experience making shirts and he can't select a material that doesn't show his lack of under arm hygeine........?
He doesn't think the WCC is worth anything but is still happy to be Champagne Charlie on the podium when he is invited up there to represent the constructor?

He has got the best team behind him this year, the best car, the best drivers and most of all one of the best budget.... he has lucked into it.

Not a nice bloke......but then do we see any of the team principles in F1 as being nice blokes with a modicum of humility or mutual respect?

[RedIsTheColour]

Originally posted by kayemod


So you'd rather listen to Flav 'nospeekadaenglish' every goddamn weekend?

Are you suggesting Ron Dennis speaks better English than Flavio? Even Sato speaks better English than Ron

The McLaren was the car of 2005 from the first laps of preseason testing, and hats off to them. Unfortunately, their QC people are as bad as Ferrari's PR people and so Flavio's drivers brought home a very sweet double. When Ron took his hat off to the "non-racer" the scene was set for a riposte...

F1 would be a poorer place without Ronspeak and Flavspeaka if you ask me.

[Bluesmoke]

Montoya fell off his bike while playing tennis!! Get the story right!!!

WTH is wrong with you people!!! Flavio is an idiot! Anyone can fall off their bike while playing tennis!!

[kayemod]

Originally posted by RedIsTheColour

Are you suggesting Ron Dennis speaks better English than Flavio? Even Sato speaks better English than Ron

Chavio Briatore's English is much better than he tries to pretend. His 'nospeekadaenglish' is largely an act to deflect awkward questions, and he hopes, to gain some sympathy as an outsider in a predominantly English speaking F1 environment. Most of the time, he's just coming out with his own version of Ronspeak with a funny accent.

[checkonetwo]

Originally posted by Bluesmoke
Anyone can fall off their bike while playing tennis!!

[skinnylizard]

ive always liked Flavio. what you see is what you get. least he dosent pretend about useless ****. and he delivered.

[miniman]

They are both mere fishmongers boasting about their rotten wares, not much class from either one of them.

Kimi was pretty classy in the post race interview, I must admit, Ron could learn something from his protege while Alonso could be more gracious in victory, seems like he is taking clues from his mentor.

[bern@rd]

Originally posted by RedIsTheColour




... and so Flavio's drivers brought home a very sweet double.

Don't you mean... sweaty double?;)