In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Oliver Oakes has resigned from his position as Team Principal of the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team, effective immediately. The announcement, made on May 6, 2025, marks a significant shift in leadership for the team, which is currently facing challenges in the ongoing season.
Oakes, who joined the Alpine team in July 2024, had a brief tenure that lasted less than a year. During his time, he was instrumental in guiding the team to a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Constructors' Championship, a notable achievement considering the team's struggles in previous seasons. However, the team's current standings tell a different story; Alpine finds itself languishing in ninth place out of ten teams after six races in the 2025 season.
Flavio Briatore, a controversial figure in the F1 world, will take over Oakes' responsibilities while continuing in his role as the Executive Advisor. Briatore's return to a leadership position in Formula 1 is particularly noteworthy, as he was previously banned from the sport for his involvement in the infamous 'Crashgate' scandal in 2009. His reappointment was orchestrated by Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo last year, and it seems he has now regained significant influence over the Alpine team.
The circumstances surrounding Oakes' resignation remain somewhat murky. While the team has expressed gratitude for his contributions, including his role in the team's previous success, no specific reasons were provided for his abrupt departure. A source close to the situation indicated that the decision was Oakes' own, yet it caught many within the team by surprise.
As the team prepares for the seventh round of the season in Italy on May 18, the focus now shifts to the performance of the drivers. Pierre Gasly, Alpine's lead driver, has been the sole point scorer for the team this season, managing to accumulate just seven points. In stark contrast, rookie driver Mick Doohan has yet to score any points, raising questions about his future with the team. Speculation is mounting that Doohan may be replaced by Franco Colapinto, a former Williams driver, as the team looks to make changes ahead of the upcoming race.
Oakes is the third team principal to depart Alpine in a little over two years, following the tenures of Otmar Szafnauer and Bruno Famin, both of whom also faced challenges during their leadership. The ongoing turnover in management reflects a turbulent period for the team, which has struggled to find stability and consistent performance on the track.
Despite the challenges, the team managed to secure a respectable sixth place in the Constructors' Championship last year, a position that many hoped would serve as a springboard for future success. However, the current season has not unfolded as planned, with Alpine yet to achieve a podium finish, and their best result so far being a seventh-place finish by Gasly in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
As the F1 season progresses, the pressure is mounting on Alpine to turn things around. With Briatore now at the helm, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team responds to this leadership change. Will Briatore’s experience and controversial past help guide Alpine back to competitiveness, or will the team continue to struggle in the shadow of its more successful rivals?
In the broader context of Formula 1, Oakes' resignation highlights the high-stakes environment of the sport, where results are paramount and the pressure to perform can lead to swift changes in leadership. The coming weeks will be crucial for Alpine as they seek to regain their footing in a highly competitive field.
As the team gears up for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, fans are left wondering about the future direction of the BWT Alpine F-1 Team. With Briatore's interim leadership and potential driver changes on the horizon, the team is at a pivotal moment in its journey. Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
