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Alpine Announces Oliver Oakes’ Resignation, Flavio Briatore Steps In
A surprising turn of events has unfolded in the world of Formula 1. The BWT Alpine team has officially announced that Oliver Oakes has stepped down from his role as Team Principal. The announcement came shortly after the team’s underwhelming performance at the Miami Grand Prix.
In a statement released on Wednesday (May 8), Alpine confirmed it had received Oakes’ resignation unconditionally. “BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned as Team Principal. The team has accepted his resignation with no conditions attached,” the statement read, as quoted from Formula 1.
To ensure stability, Alpine has quickly appointed Flavio Briatore as a temporary replacement. Briatore, who has been serving as Executive Advisor to the team, will now take over the responsibilities previously held by Oakes.
Oliver Oakes is no stranger to the racing world. He played a crucial role in Alpine’s solid performance last season. Under his leadership in 2024, Alpine finished sixth in the Constructors’ Championship—a respectable result amid fierce competition.
However, this season has been a different story. The team’s inconsistent performance since the beginning of the year has reportedly led to growing tension between Oakes and Alpine’s management. Oakes, a respected figure from Brighton, England, now leaves the team at a critical juncture.
Alpine is now rumored to be considering two possible replacements: Otmar Szafnauer, the former team principal of both Aston Martin and Alpine, and Bruno Famin, who currently holds a key strategic position within the team.
This development adds another layer of intrigue to an already unpredictable Formula 1 season. Whether Briatore’s return will spark a turnaround or stir new controversy remains to be seen.
