The official F1 website's article on Flavio returning to Alpine doesn't mention that he was banned over his role in Crashgate. It refers to him "vacating his position in 2009 and taking some time out"
Flavio Briatore is making a return to Formula 1 in an official capacity after the Renault-backed Alpine team announced the Italian businessman as their new Executive Advisor.
Bernie started by selling motorcycle parts at meets. He ended up building a billion dollar industry. He built it. He didn't have a hundred chimps writing code in the back room. He did it. For that he is owed some respect. Is he eccentric? Sure. Did he do dodgy stuff as you say? Sure. I suppose if you take a review of self made billionaires you'll find those qualities in many of them. As far as Flavio being a buddy, I'm sure he himself questioned that through the years he ran his club in Monaco after he was banned.