Briatore leaves QPR

Flavio Briatore has stepped down as chairman of QPR today.

The controversial Italian has been at the helm of the Coca-Cola Championship club for nearly two and a half years.

Ishan Saksena is taking over as chairman of QPR Holdings Limited, with Gianni Paladini resuming as chairman.

Briatore said: “My time as chairman of QPR has been an exciting and incredible experience.

“I’m proud to have helped save this historical club and to have contributed in paving the way to its future success.

“Although my commitment to the club remains unchanged, I now feel the need to focus my energies into other fields as well.

“I’m very happy that my position as chairman of QPR will go to Ishan Saksena.

“I’m sure he will do a brilliant job and under his leadership the club will soon achieve the stability and the good results we all expect.”

Briatore, the former boss of the Renault F1 team, took over in late 2007 along with Bernie Ecclestone after saving the club from the brink of administration.