In a stunning turn of events within the world of Formula One, Alpine's team principal Oli Oakes has resigned just a day after the team announced the replacement of Australian driver Jack Doohan with Argentina’s Franco Colapinto. The unexpected resignation, effective immediately, has sent shockwaves through the paddock as the team prepares for the upcoming Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola on May 18, 2025.
Flavio Briatore, a highly controversial figure in F1 history, will step in to fill Oakes’ role. The 75-year-old Italian is no stranger to leadership within the sport, having previously led the team when they raced as Benetton and Renault, securing championships with icons like Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995, and Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.
Briatore’s return to the forefront of Alpine comes after a tumultuous period for the team, which currently sits ninth in the Constructors' Championship after six races, with Doohan yet to score a point. The decision to replace Doohan, who was seen as a promising rookie, raised eyebrows, especially considering Oakes had publicly backed him in the past.
"Jack, to give him credit, he’s learning well," Oakes stated after the Australian's 14th-place finish in Bahrain. "You never get much credit in F1 when you’re a youngster and everyone’s sort of looking at what you’re up to. But I think he’ll definitely feel more confident after this weekend." However, after crashing out of the Miami Grand Prix on May 4, 2025, following a collision with New Zealand’s Liam Lawson, Doohan was informed of his replacement by Briatore.
Oakes’ resignation has been described as being “of a personal nature.” Reports have surfaced indicating that his brother, William Oakes, was arrested on May 1, 2025, charged with transferring criminal property. The incident occurred in the Silverstone Park area, where William was found in possession of a significant amount of cash. This development has further complicated the narrative surrounding Oakes' departure.
Despite the timing of the two events, Briatore has publicly stated that Oakes' resignation was not due to any disagreements between them. "A lot has been said in the past 24 hours, incorrectly associating the decision of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement, or that we shared different views. This is completely false and far from the truth," Briatore emphasized in a statement. "Me and Oli have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this team forward together. We accept Oli’s request to resign and have therefore accepted his resignation. The reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature."
As Briatore takes the reins, he will also oversee the team’s transition to Mercedes engines in 2026, a decision he was instrumental in making. This shift indicates a significant change in strategy for Alpine, which has struggled to find its footing in the highly competitive F1 landscape.
Meanwhile, the fallout from Doohan's demotion has drawn criticism from his father, Mick Doohan, a five-time MotoGP world champion. Mick took to social media to defend his son, sharing a graphic comparing the race results of Jack Doohan and teammate Pierre Gasly. The graphic highlighted Gasly's performance, which included finishes of 11th, 11th, 13th, 7th, DNF, and 13th, while Doohan's results were less favorable, featuring two DNFs and finishes of 13th, 15th, 14th, and 17th.
"It's a shame to see Jack replaced, especially given the circumstances surrounding his performance," Mick Doohan expressed. "The car's performance has been less than stellar, and it’s clear that Jack has faced challenges that were out of his control. F1 drivers are measured closely against their teammates, and that’s a tough standard for any rookie to meet."
In an intriguing development, reports have emerged that Alpine is also eyeing Sergio Perez for a potential drive in the 2026 season. Initial talks have reportedly taken place between Perez's representatives and Alpine, with Briatore leading discussions. Perez, who has won six Grand Prix races, expressed interest in returning to F1 under the right circumstances. "If I find a project that motivates me fully to come back, where the team believes in me and appreciates my career, it would be very attractive to consider it," Perez stated.
As the F1 community braces for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the atmosphere within the Alpine team is undoubtedly tense. With Briatore's controversial past and the recent upheaval in leadership, fans and pundits alike are left wondering how these changes will impact the team’s performance moving forward. Will Colapinto rise to the occasion alongside Gasly, or will the team continue to struggle in the shadow of its more established rivals?
The upcoming race at Imola will provide an early glimpse into the new dynamic within Alpine as they look to rebound from their rocky start to the season. With the stakes higher than ever, the pressure is on Briatore and his team to deliver results that can turn their fortunes around.
As the F1 grid gears up for the next challenge, all eyes will be on Alpine to see if they can harness the talent of Colapinto and the experience of Gasly to finally find their footing in this highly competitive environment. The drama surrounding Oakes' resignation and Doohan's departure adds an extra layer of intrigue as the team heads into what promises to be a pivotal moment in their season.
