An official statement has confirmed Alpine F1 Team Principal Oliver Oakes has resigned with immediate effect, a development that has sent ripples through the Formula 1 paddock as the team enters a new chapter of leadership turmoil.
The announcement made on Tuesday after the Miami Grand Prix confirmed that the team’s executive advisor Flavio Briatore – a figure synonymous with both success and controversy in F1 – will take over Oakes’ duties while continuing his advisory role.
Oliver Oakes’ departure from the Alpine F1 Team Principal role marks the latest in a series of rapid leadership changes at the Enstone based outfit, which has struggled to find stability at the top.
Appointed less than a year ago, the Brit became the youngest team principal in Formula 1 at the age of 37 when he replaced Bruno Famin in July 2024.
His tenure was brief but eventful as he sought to steer the Renault-owned team through a challenging period marked by underperformance on track and persistent speculation off it.
The official statement from Alpine expressed gratitude for Oakes’ contributions particularly his role in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.
However, the team offered no further comment on the reasons behind his departure and Oakes himself has remained silent on the matter.
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal,” the statement read. “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.
“The team will not be making any further comment.”
Sources within the organization have described his exit as a surprise with some suggesting that the 37-year old had limited authority during his time in charge, overshadowed by the influential presence of Flavio Briatore.
Alpine’s struggles this season have been evident. After six races the team sits ninth in the constructors’ standings with just seven points, narrowly ahead of Sauber.
The Miami Grand Prix was emblematic of their challenges with both drivers lamenting a lack of pace and the need for urgent answers.
Team driver Pierre Gasly commented after the race that Alpine had been “on the back foot the whole time,” reflecting a sentiment of frustration and uncertainty within the camp.
The leadership instability at Alpine is not a new phenomenon. Oakes was the fourth person to hold the Alpine F1 team principal role in under four years following the departures of Bruno Famin, Otmar Szafnauer and Cyril Abiteboul.
Each change has been accompanied by hopes of a turnaround yet the team has continued to grapple with inconsistency and a lack of clear direction.
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The decision last year to end Renault’s long-standing F1 engine program with a switch to Mercedes power units scheduled for next season further underscores the scale of transformation underway at Enstone.
Oakes’ background as a former racing driver and founder of Hitech Grand Prix brought a fresh perspective to Alpine. Hitech competes in several junior categories including F1 Academy, Formula Three, and Formula Two, and his experience in nurturing young talent was seen as an asset.
However, his ability to implement meaningful change at the French team appears to have been hampered by internal dynamics and the overarching influence of Briatore.
The timing of Oakes’ resignation has fueled speculation about further changes within the team, particularly regarding the driver lineup.
Reports suggest that Australian rookie Jack Doohan who has yet to score a point this season, could be replaced by Argentine reserve driver Franco Colapinto ahead of the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
Briatore has publicly praised Colapinto, describing him as one of the most promising young talents in motorsport and his appointment as a reserve driver earlier this year was seen as a signal of potential future promotion.
