So, what’s been going on with Flavio Briatore since he was told to go away and stay away by the FIA on Monday? It’s not awfully clear.

Initially there were reports that he was considering legal action, and the possibility of setting up a rival series to Formula 1. After Bernie Ecclestone had commented on the situation, signs were that Briatore was mellowing a little, and might appeal to the FIA. In the latest reports, he’s sounding defiant:

“In the end I will win and, you’ll see, we’ll have a great party. It will be organized well and we’ll invite all those people who have stayed close to me during these tough times.”

So he’s going to fight back by some means. How? Maybe the clue comes from the BBC’s Ted Kravitz, who during FP1 revealed that Renault still have Briatore’s chair.

What does that mean? Briatore’s coming back, presumably in the form of a mechanised remote-controlled FlavBot – he’s not banned by the FIA – to eliminate those who “betrayed” him.

Then the “great party”, FlavBot perched, triumphant, on his chair.