Flavio Briatore: Inside the Glamorous and Controversial Love Life of F1’s Greatest Casanova

The Private Side of a Formula 1 Powerbroker

If you think the action in Formula 1 is limited to the race track, you haven’t met Flavio Briatore. While most fans recognize him as the mastermind behind world championships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, Briatore’s reputation off the grid has often overshadowed his professional exploits. Dubbed F1’s biggest Casanova, his romantic life has played out in the spotlight, grabbing nearly as much attention as the championship trophies he’s helped win.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Briatore’s parties were legendary, with a parade of supermodels and celebrities jetting in and out of Monaco. Gossip magazines feasted on his romantic links, the most high-profile of which was with none other than Naomi Campbell. Their relationship became tabloid gospel, mixing high fashion with high-octane motorsport. Briatore was often seen in VIP sections—not just at racing paddocks, but at the world’s premier fashion shows and yacht parties, his arm draped around some of the most famous faces in modeling.

Fame, Controversy, and an Unapologetic Love for the Spotlight

Briatore’s image as a playboy isn’t just rumor. He’s the father of a child with another supermodel, Heidi Klum, though their tumultuous relationship ended before their daughter was born. Still, he has remained involved in his daughter's life. Each new romance, whether fleeting or long-term, kept Briatore’s name splashed across tabloids and added to his Casanova mystique. Insiders say his charm—a mix of Italian bravado and business acumen—has always been his secret weapon both in the paddock and beyond.

His larger-than-life persona has also attracted its share of controversy. The so-called ‘Crashgate’ scandal in 2008, which led to Briatore’s exit from Formula 1 for a period, only made him a bigger magnet for headlines. Even after the ban, he never really stepped out of the limelight, returning as an advisor for Alpine F1—proving, perhaps, that both in racing and romance, he’s always got another comeback in him.

So why does Briatore spark such fascination? Maybe it’s the endless supply of stories about private jets, model girlfriends, and globe-trotting nights. Or maybe it’s the unapologetic way he’s lived, loving the spotlight as much as he’s loved the race. While his romantic escapades have settled in recent years, the tale of F1’s ultimate playboy remains as wild as any grand prix he’s ever managed.