Former Formula One boss Flavio Briatore has celebrated has 60th birthday with the news that he'll be able to return to the sport in 2013 after motorsport's world governing body the FIA came to an agreement with the Italian.

The former Renault boss and then director of engineering Pat Symonds were originally banned for life last September, for their roles in masterminding the crashgate scandal for allegedly ordering Nelson Piquet junior to crash at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix. Briatore's denied the accusations and both men appealed the decision and in early January a Paris court ruled the FIA decision was illegal.

The FIA originally decided to appeal that decision but now says the dispute is over and that the pair have agreed not to have any operational role in Formula 1 until 2013.