Briatore is 'very upset' with Ralf Schumacher.

      "Flavio is currently not speaking to me."

      12 September 2025 - 11:29

      Ralf Schumacher has disclosed that Flavio Briatore is now ignoring him following Schumacher's earlier criticism of the 75-year-old Alpine advisor and de facto team principal. The 50-year-old German, a former Formula 1 race winner, has emerged as one of Sky Deutschland’s most vocal analysts. In May, he stated that Briatore was "too old" to return to the paddock as a full-time team principal.

      Schumacher, who was previously blacklisted by Aston Martin for similar critiques, admits that their relationship is now fractured. "Flavio Briatore is not talking to me now," he said. "He is really upset with me because he misunderstood my comments. I simply pointed out that individuals like Flavio and, for that matter, Christian Horner, cannot serve as role models by themselves. We need to take inspiration from McLaren."

      He maintains that his comments were aimed at modern leadership in an increasingly complex F1 environment. "Someone has to handle marketing, engage with people, and attract the talent that Andrea Stella requires," Schumacher clarified. "That was my point, and it applies not just to Flavio but to Horner as well. This isn’t about age. I respect Flavio, and obviously, he can’t do this for another century. However, times have changed."

      Earlier this year, Schumacher supported Alpine’s controversial decision to promote rookie Franco Colapinto, but contended that Briatore was "too old" to manage the team principal duties daily after undergoing heart surgery in 2023.