Briatore: Ecclestone ousting was inelegant

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Flavio Briatore, a close friend and business partner of Bernie Ecclestone, believes the supremo's exit from Formula 1 last week was conducted in a harsh and inelegant style.

The flamboyant Italian and former F1 team manger, who was banned indefinitely from the sport by the FIA following the infamous 'crashgate' episode which took place at Singapore in 2008, was critical of Liberty Media's handling of Ecclestone's dismissal.

"The whole thing was very inelegant," Britore told the Gazetta dello Sport.

"Everybody know I'm close to Bernie, and we shared the same vision of Formula 1. Berne enabled many people to become successful in the sport and even famous, even people who didn't deserve it."

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Briatore praised however the arrival of Ross Brawn at the helm, as F1's sporting director, believing the sport will be in good hands

"I worked with Ross for eight years," added the Italian.

"He's a great engineer, and a great person. But he'll have to make sure that everyone moves in the right direction, and work towards reducing costs."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.