In a stunning development that has sent ripples through the Formula 1 paddock, Alpine announced on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, that Team Principal Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role with immediate effect. The British-based, Renault-owned team confirmed the news in a brief statement, marking the end of Oakes’ tenure after less than a year at the helm. Flavio Briatore, the team’s executive advisor, will step in to cover Oakes’ duties, adding another chapter to Alpine’s turbulent leadership saga.
Oakes, who was appointed in July 2024 as Alpine’s fifth team principal in four years, took charge during a period of instability for the Enstone squad. At 37, he was one of the youngest team principals in Formula 1 history, bringing with him a reputation as a former karting champion and the founder of Hitech GP, a successful junior racing outfit. His appointment was seen as a bold move by Renault CEO Luca de Meo and Briatore, who aimed to stabilize a team that had cycled through leaders like Cyril Abiteboul, Laurent Rossi, Otmar Szafnauer, and Bruno Famin in rapid succession. Oakes’ leadership coincided with Alpine securing sixth place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship, a respectable result given the team’s recent struggles, but speculation about his future had been mounting in recent weeks.
The announcement comes amid swirling rumors about Alpine’s driver lineup, particularly the potential replacement of Australian rookie Jack Doohan with Argentine reserve driver Franco Colapinto for the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. Oakes had publicly backed Doohan as recently as the Miami Grand Prix, dismissing suggestions that Colapinto would take the seat. However, posts on X and reports from outlets like Sportskeeda suggest that the decision to potentially sideline Doohan may have contributed to tensions within the team. Some speculate that Oakes’ resignation could be linked to disagreements over this move, though Alpine’s statement offered no specific reason for his departure, only thanking him for his contributions.
Briatore, a controversial figure in Formula 1 known for his role in Renault’s championship-winning years in the 2000s and the infamous 2008 “Crashgate” scandal, now takes on an expanded role. His return to Alpine in 2024 as an executive advisor was already a talking point, and his assumption of team principal duties raises questions about the team’s long-term direction. Alpine’s statement did not indicate whether Briatore’s role is permanent or if the team will seek a new principal, noting only that no further comments would be made at this time.
Oakes’ exit adds to the narrative of instability at Alpine, a team that has struggled to recapture the glory of its Benetton and Renault days. Despite recent progress, including a restructured management and the addition of reserve drivers like Kush Maini and Colapinto, the team faces challenges in the ultra-competitive midfield. The timing of the resignation, just days after a difficult Miami Grand Prix where drivers Pierre Gasly and Doohan voiced frustrations, underscores the pressure Alpine is under to deliver consistent results.