Flavio Briatore is not in China for the GP… he is absent

A spokesperson for Renault announced yesterday that Flavio Briatore will not be attending the weekend. The head of the French team is indeed absent and has left the management of the team in the hands of Pat Symonds, the technical director of the double world champion team.

The Italian had a business trip last week with Bernie Ecclestone in Europe, after the Japanese GP. But as the business took longer than expected, the Formula 1 commercial chief decided to stay in Europe for the Chinese GP, prompting Briatore to also stay away from his team.

This is the first time since the 2000 season that the Italian has not attended a race with his team.

Renault being comfortably settled in third place among manufacturers, the Italian boss did not deem it necessary, according to the spokesperson, to come and assist the team. Business takes priority above all.