QPR's New Owner Talks About Their Plans

-
Sporting Life - Ben Rumsby, PA Sport - BRIATORE PLANS TO REVIVE RANGERS

Flavio Briatore has revealed he and Bernie Ecclestone have devised a four-year plan to get QPR into the Premier League.
The two Formula One magnates are poised to complete their takeover of the Coca-Cola Championship club and Briatore, head of the Renault F1 team, believes the duo can fulfil all the ambitions of the Loftus Road faithful.
Asked how long it might take to set Rangers promoted, the Italian told BBC London 94.9: "You set a target and when we take over we're talking about four years' time. If it happens earlier, it happens earlier.
"You need a strong base and the moment you arrive in the Premier League you stay there."
He added: "When we started at Benetton [now Renault], we said we wanted to win the championship in five years. Afterwards, we had our champion in three years."
Saturday saw the club reveal Briatore and F1 supremo Ecclestone had made "a recommended offer", believed to be about £14million.
The club are reportedly in debt to the tune of £13million.
Briatore would not be drawn on the figures involved but insisted sufficient funds would be made available to strengthen the team in January.
He added: "I won seven championships in Formula One and I won the championship with a barely good budget proportional to the results.
"We won't do anything crazy. What's more important is the programme you are doing, step by step, and it's impossible to change everything in one year.
"You need the money to do the job but what is more important is the total organisation of the club."
Briatore claimed he became interested in Rangers "a long time ago" and insists he and Ecclestone are not buying the club simply to make a profit selling it on.
"We take it to keep it," he said.
"It's not a real estate investment, it's a sport investment."
He added: "QPR have the potential to be at the top again.
"It's a great team, a great club. They have a lot of fans who support the club.
"I believe it's a good opportunity."
Briatore drew comparisons between football and F1.
"Sport is sport and there is a lot of similarity between football and Formula One," he said.
"The Formula One investment is nearly 10 times bigger than a football team."
Chairman Gianni Paladini and manager John Gregory are expected to stay in place if the takeover succeeds.
"Paladini has done a job with small resources and John as well," Briatore said.
However, the 57-year-old admitted his various business interests would make it impossible for him or Ecclestone to attend every Rangers match.
He said "We have different activities as well, not only in Formula One. It's a question of management, it's a question of the people you put in charge.
"Myself and Bernie understand very well what you need to be competitive.
"If I'm there or not, the club is not better or not."
Meanwhile, Gregory has warned supporters Briatore and Ecclestone will struggle to bring immediate success.
He said: "The investors can really help this club move forward, but, as always, it will take time.
"We can't do it overnight and the transfer window is closed, so it will take time to make the transition." Sporting Life

See Also: Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals Report of the Radio Interview Brigatore Speaks

See Also BBC Radio London