May 6, 2025

Flavio Briatore and his strong ties with Porto Cervo

Our interview with the entrepreneur who animated Sardinian nights for 26 years with his Billionaire

After 26 years as the uncontested protagonist of exclusive night entertainment in Sardinia, Flavio Briatore draws an end to this experience. This historic decision has been followed by the sale of the Twiga brand and four iconic locations to Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, including the legendary Billionaire of Porto Cervo – the famous night club on the north-east coast. The purchase, carried out through a merger with Triple Sea Food, introduces a new concept into the luxury hospitality sector: the LMDV Hospitality Group which aims to redefine the concept of elite hospitality in a contemporary way. Below is my last interview with Flavio Briatore which I did here in Sardinia. It was very insightful and gives a good account of his authentic connection with this land. I had the pleasure of having him as my guest for Audaci a cuore aperto a few years earlier. He is an entrepreneur who needs no introduction, with no regrets and always willing to talk about business, success and his vision of life. As soon as I greet him, I realise that the Billionaire was not simply an entrepreneurial project, but his own affirmation of identity. A symbol of his way of understanding luxury: dynamic, engaging, and always evolving. Today, after the purchase by the LMDV Hospitality Group, the project has entered a new stage.

Who is Flavio Briatore?

Just an ordinary man. I was born in a small mountain village near Cuneo where people’s highest ambitions were to become a ski instructor or manage a road maintenance depot. Instead, I chose to take the risk. I followed my ideas and my creativity, always doing what I wanted to do. Obviously, your background carries some weight: the opportunities for a person born in New York are different than for a person from Cuneo, but I was always sure that one day I would leave the village and do something important. Maybe everything has already been written when you are born, but you can still change a few pages.

What is your greatest achievement in your career as an entrepreneur?

As an entrepreneur, I was successful in different sectors: sports, industry, communication, etc. In Formula One, I won seven world championships and I believe I am the only team manager to have won with two different teams.

What was your first experience in Gallura?

It was around the mid-1980s. As soon as you are here, you can see right away that this place is wonderful. Prince Karimhad the money to develop the area and I did not, but I think we both felt the same awe.

Where did you get the idea for the Billionaire?

After a day on the beach, there was little to do in the evening. A place for those looking for quality night-life. So I founded the Billionaire inside a villa I had bought.

What is the formula for success?

Your staff make the difference: if you want a successful business, you need to treat your staff well.

What is your passion in your work?

I like to come up with ideas about how to develop new businesses. When you develop new businesses, you are creating jobs, and this is very important, especially for young people. Many people depend on you and so you have this great responsibility, but also great motivation. Good results do not happen by chance or luck. If you get good results, it is because of good strategy, creativity and sacrifices.

Is there any project you did not do for fear of making a mistake?

No. If you do not want to make mistakes, you never do anything, but then you have already given up.