Banned former Renault boss Briatore, making a visit this weekend to the Monaco paddock, still manages Fernando Alonso as well as Webber.

The Australian has had a difficult start to 2011 and Briatore admitted to wondering if things are running smoothly in the pit garage next to runaway championship leader Sebastian Vettel.

"I think that team is big enough for both drivers to have equal opportunities," Briatore told the Spanish sports newspaper AS.

"Every time there is a problem, it is Webber, and although in life you have to be lucky, it's strange when all you get is bad luck.

"I believe unquestionably in (Christian) Horner's quality, but Webber needs to be able to compete in order to challenge for the title, for the spectacle, like Prost-Senna," added the Italian.

"Maybe they think it's better to have a first driver light and clear.  I always had a number one and number two with a chance of being competitive and working together.

"This works better than having a number one and number two working for themselves only.  Except with Fernando and Schumacher, I never counted on one driver only," said Briatore.