Briatore rules out F1 return

Flavio Briatore

Former Benetton and Renault team principal Flavio Briatore says he doesn't want to return to Formula One because it "makes no sense financially".

Having initially been banned from Formula One for life for his part in the 2008 Crashgate scandal, Briatore's ban was subsequently overturned on appeal. However, in an interview with F1 Racing magazine, Briatore says he has no motivation to return to the sport.

"No, I don't think so," Briatore said. "Now I have a son, three years old; I'm working 20 hours a day for different businesses, different investments, different situations, both here and over in America; I'm very happy. This restaurant [Cipriani], for example, is the most popular in Monte Carlo.

"I was in Formula 1 for 20 years, won seven championships with two different teams, discovered the two big stars after Ayrton Senna: Schumi and Fernando. I know everything that's going on and I know to have a team at this moment makes no sense financially. So, there is no reason for me to come back to F1."

Despite his lack of desire to return, Briatore admits he is still in regular contact with Bernie Ecclestone to understand what happens in the sport.

"I am speaking to Bernie a lot. Every day I am talking to somebody from F1. I keep in contact all the time; I never miss anything."