Alpine Announces Sudden Exit of Team Principal Oliver Oakes, Flavio Briatore Steps In Amid Team Reshuffle
In a significant shake-up within the Formula 1 paddock, the Alpine F1 Team has officially announced the immediate departure of team principal Oliver Oakes. The decision, which follows the conclusion of the Miami Grand Prix, marks a surprising and swift end to Oakes’ tenure after just 10 months at the helm of the Enstone-based outfit.
Oakes, aged 37, took over the team principal role from Bruno Famin during the 2024 season, making headlines at the time for becoming one of the youngest individuals to ever lead a Formula 1 team. Only Christian Horner, who became Red Bull’s team principal in 2005, was younger when he assumed a similar position. Despite the promising start and considerable expectations placed upon him, Oakes’ time leading Alpine has now come to an abrupt halt.
The French-owned squad released an official statement confirming Oakes’ resignation and stated that the departure was effective immediately. Although the team expressed gratitude for his leadership and his role in helping secure a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, no further details were offered regarding the circumstances behind his decision to step down.
“The BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal,” the team said in its official statement. “The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect. As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes. The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.”
This development has added fuel to the ongoing speculation surrounding Alpine, which is reportedly considering further personnel and driver changes. There are strong rumors suggesting that the team may soon replace current driver Jack Doohan with their reserve driver, Franco Colapinto. While no official decision has been announced regarding the driver lineup, the increased involvement of Flavio Briatore — a controversial and experienced figure in F1 — suggests the team is actively re-evaluating its strategic direction.
Briatore, who has a storied and sometimes polarizing history in Formula 1, has already been serving as an executive advisor to Alpine. With his new interim responsibilities covering Oakes’ former duties, his influence within the team is likely to grow significantly. It remains unclear whether the team plans to appoint a new full-time team principal or whether Briatore’s dual role will continue for an extended period.
Alpine’s recent instability at the leadership level reflects broader challenges the team has faced in their quest to return to the front of the grid. Despite showing flashes of competitiveness, the team has struggled to consistently compete with the top-tier outfits like Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari. Last season’s sixth-place finish was a modest achievement, but far from the ambitions the team had set when it rebranded from Renault in 2021 with hopes of fighting for podiums and championships.
Oakes’ short-lived leadership will inevitably raise questions about Alpine’s internal management and long-term vision. His appointment was initially seen as a youthful, progressive move, but his rapid exit could point to deeper issues behind the scenes. Whether it was due to internal disagreements, performance concerns, or strategic differences remains unknown.
With Alpine now undergoing a clear transitional phase, all eyes will be on how Briatore handles this added responsibility and whether further changes — including a potential driver switch — will be confirmed in the coming weeks. The team will be hoping for stability and clarity soon as the 2025 season continues to unfold.
