In a stunning turn of events, the Alpine F1 team has announced the immediate resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes, just six races into the 2025 Formula One season. Oakes, who had been with the team for less than a year, took over the reins from Bruno Famin in August 2024 and was considered one of the youngest team principals in the sport at the age of 37.
The announcement comes on the heels of a challenging start to the season for Alpine, who currently sit ninth in the constructors' championship with only seven points accrued from the first six races. The team’s struggles have been compounded by ongoing speculation surrounding rookie driver Jack Doohan's future, which seems to have played a role in Oakes' abrupt departure.
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as team principal,” the team stated in a press release. “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.”
Flavio Briatore, who has a storied yet controversial history in Formula One, will now step into the interim role. He previously oversaw championship successes with Benetton and Renault, and his return to Alpine in May 2024 had already raised eyebrows. The team expressed gratitude for Oakes' contributions, particularly his role in leading Alpine to a sixth-place finish in the 2024 constructors' championship. “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,” the statement continued.
Oakes’ exit comes amid a backdrop of significant changes within the team. Under his leadership, Alpine made notable strides towards improving their performance, but the current season has seen them falter. The team has faced difficulties that have left them trailing behind their competitors, raising questions about the stability of their driver lineup.
Rumors have been swirling regarding the future of Jack Doohan, who has had a rocky start to his rookie season. After suffering two major crashes in Australia and Japan, Doohan faced further scrutiny following a heated outburst during the Miami Grand Prix, where he was eliminated in the early stages of the Sprint Qualifying. With reserve driver Franco Colapinto waiting in the wings, speculation suggests that a driver change may be imminent.
According to sources, Alpine is poised to make a significant lineup change for the next race at Imola, with Colapinto expected to step in as Doohan's replacement. Briatore has publicly praised Colapinto, labeling him as “among the best young talents in motorsport,” indicating a clear preference for the Argentine driver over Doohan.
The decision to replace Doohan has reportedly caused friction between Oakes and Briatore, with insiders suggesting that disagreements over driver choices may have contributed to Oakes' resignation. This situation reflects a broader tension within the team as they navigate the challenges of the current season.
Oakes’ tenure at Alpine began with promise, as he oversaw a remarkable double podium finish for Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly in Brazil towards the end of last season. However, the team's inability to maintain that momentum into 2025 has raised questions about the future direction of Alpine.
As the team prepares for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, scheduled for May 16-18, 2025, the focus will be on how they respond to this latest upheaval. The upcoming race will not only serve as a test for the new driver pairing but also as a critical juncture for the entire organization as they seek to improve their standings in the championship.
The departure of Oakes marks a significant moment in Alpine's journey, and with Briatore back in a leadership role, all eyes will be on how the team adapts to this new dynamic. The pressure is on as they aim to turn their season around and re-establish themselves as competitive contenders in the Formula One landscape.
While the reasons behind Oakes' sudden exit remain somewhat murky, the implications for Alpine are clear: they must find a way to stabilize their performance and address the uncertainties surrounding their driver lineup. With the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on the horizon, the team is at a crossroads, and how they navigate this period will be crucial for their future in Formula One.
