Put the sport back centre stage - Briatore

The ING Renault F1 Team Principal, Flavio Briatore, was invited to the today's FIA’s official press conference. The flamboyant Italian said on the espionage affair between Ferrari and McLaren that people should concentrate more on the sport as the matter is harming everbody in F1.

"Yes, but it’s Friday and all the teams have different programmes in free practice. Being quick on Friday doesn’t mean that you can take pole for granted. We’re continuing work on the car and we’ve got new parts race after race, but I don’t think we’re strong enough to get on to the podium in normal circumstances this weekend."

"We have to understand what’s happened this year before looking further ahead. Our performance is not what we were hoping for. The truth of the matter today is that we hope we’ll be able to battle with BMW between now and the end of the season. McLaren and Ferrari are too far ahead to be caught. We’ve got some new parts coming through for Monza and Spa. We’re continuing our effort to try and finish the season well and then get off on the right foot in 2008."

"Of course, we’re keeping abreast of the situation and our lawyer attended the last World Council meeting. I find it normal; we’re in Formula 1 and we should keep up to date on everything that’s happening. At present, I have to say that this affair has turned people’s attention from what’s important: namely, what’s going on out there on the track. This business is doing everybody in F1 harm. I’d like people to stop talking about it and concentrate a bit more on the sport."

"We haven’t taken a decision about that yet. We began the season with a difficult car, and we still need a bit more time to judge the performance of our two drivers with all the information in our possession. I think we’ll have taken a decision by the time Monza comes around."