Briatore: "I've Been Betrayed, I'll Fight Back!"

Although ousted from all FIA-sanctioned competitions for life, former Renault principal vowed to fight back in his attempt to clear his name worldwide. The 59-year old Italian insisted he is not guilty of anything in the crash gate and will prove his innocence as soon as he will be allowed to talk to the members of the ruling body.

“I've been betrayed by my own world. 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,” said the former Renault principal in an interview with Italian newspaper Repubblica.

“(This response) is just a matter of good manners, because I don't want to say absolutely anything. I'm not giving any quotes. I will talk only at the right time, assuming that they still allow me to talk. Look at the verdict the FIA has put online on Tuesday: it is not about me,” added the Italian.

On Monday, the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) handed Briatore the most drastic ban in the history of the sport, ruling him out of all FIA competitions for life. In addition, the Italian is no longer allowed to manage any drivers in any of those series.

Briatore also insisted that he will attack the FIA decision in a civil court, if needed. Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 boss and also business associate of the Italian, advised him not to proceed to a court outside the FIA jurisdiction until he uses all ways of appeal.

“It would be stupid of Flavio to do that. He should ask to be heard by the (FIA's) Court of Appeal. If he goes to a civil court I don't think he would win. Because the FIA would have to defend and somebody will say that he sent a young guy out to what could have been to his death. So it wouldn't go down too well,” said Ecclestone in Singapore.