Suday March 26th, 2000

Flavio Briatore returned to the Benetton helm after a two-year absence on Sunday and racked up immediate points in the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The flamboyant Italian's first week of work under new Benetton owner Renault saw the team on the podium with his compatriot Giancarlo Fisichella grabbing third on a one-stop strategy.

"We have done a very good job all weekend," said Briatore. "There was only one way to overtake Jordan and Jaguar and that was with a one-stop strategy. Fisichella did very well."

The man who presided over back-to-back world championships in 1994 and 1995 at Benetton with Michael Schumacher looked as if he had never been away.

"I know my people here," Briatore said. "It's a little bit of magic, but a lot of good organisation."

That organisation failed to help Austrian driver Alexander Wurz, who stalled in the warm-up lap, started in the pit lane and was the first to drop out of the race after only six laps.

"It was an engine problem," Briatore said. "It is not Alexander's problem. It is mine."

For all the confidence he exuded, Briatore doubted he will be able to reap better results until 2002, when French carmaker Renault takes full control of Benetton and introduces a new V10 engine.

"It is the best we can do with the car that we have."

While the car may have its limitations, Briatore has said he wants to make deep changes in how the team is run -- a key demand in his nine-month negotiations with Renault before they closed the $120 million purchase of Benetton last week.

He started off telling everyone on the team he wanted better grooming for all staff, including a daily shave.