New job for Briatore

Briatore: New job

Related links

Teams

• Renault

Also see

• F1 forum
• Live coverage
• Bet now with Sky Bet

As Formula One attempts to turn its attentions back to matters on-track following the deal to prevent a FOTA breakaway, Renault team boss Flavio Briatore has been handed the task of trying to make the sport more entertaining.

The announcement that the flamboyant Italian will take charge of 'improving the show' came during a press conference on Thursday in which the Formula One Teams' Association gave more details of the deal reached with the FIA.

Speaking in Bologna, FOTA chairman and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo thanked the FIA World Motor Sport Council "for the very positive meeting and the very constructive attitude towards the interests of F1".

He further explained that "Flavio will also be working with the commercial rights holder (Bernie Ecclestone) to improve the show and the interest in the sport".

Briatore, meanwhile, is eager to ensure that Formula One action can keep fans glued to their seats and also avoid a repeat of the recent Turkish Grand Prix, where high ticket prices resulted in largely empty stands.

"What we wanted is a Formula One," he said. "We have achieved what we wanted: an F1 with the best drivers, the best teams, and now we want to work to have a better show, to entertain the people.

"We want to make sure the fans are with us, that they enjoy the fight between the drivers.

"In the last six or seven months there has been a lot of talk about politics and costs, and I don't believe this is a subject the fans like.

"The fans like a show, a race. We need to talk about sport again, and we are happy to achieve this, to work for that."

Stability

Of their agreement with the governing body, di Montezemolo said FOTA were continuing their work to cut costs, adding the decision to freeze rules would help their cause.

He added that the attempt made by FIA president Max Mosley to reduce costs by forcing the introduction of a budget cap - which led to the threatened breakaway - would not happen in future.

"We will keep the 2009 rules the same for everybody - this is extremely important. We will have stability in F1 at least until the end of 2012. It means no (extra) cost, because with stability you have no cost," he said.

"We also have governance like in the previous years in which the rules come from clear procedure with the F1 Commission. And we will continue as teams, as car manufacturers, to work for important cost reductions as we have already done with success regarding engines and gearboxes."