Flavio reacts

Speculation following yesterday’s announcement of Fernando Alonso’s signature with McLaren from the beginning of the 2007 season, has suggested that Flavio Briatore, Managing Director of the Renault F1 Team, was involved in these negotiations.

Refuting this speculation, Flavio Briatore has said: “I was at no time directly or indirectly involved in the conduct of these negotiations. Fernando made a personal decision that his future lies outside the Renault team when his current contract expires at the end of 2006. He contacted, and negotiated with McLaren at his own instigation.”