Breaking: McLaren chief RESIGNS in shock move due to…read more

McLaren chief RESIGNS in shock move due to…read more

In a major development that has taken the Formula 1 community by surprise, the Alpine F1 Team has officially confirmed the sudden resignation of its team principal, Oliver Oakes. The announcement, which came shortly after the conclusion of the Miami Grand Prix, has caught many off guard, given the relatively short duration of Oakes’ leadership and the team’s ongoing efforts to rebuild its competitive edge.

Oakes, just 37 years old, was one of the youngest team principals in the sport’s modern era when he assumed the role at Alpine in mid-2024. His appointment followed the departure of Bruno Famin and was initially met with enthusiasm and optimism. Many viewed it as a progressive move aimed at injecting fresh energy and vision into the Enstone-based squad. His relatively youthful age at the time of appointment placed him in rare company — only Christian Horner, who took over at Red Bull Racing back in 2005, was younger when he assumed a similar leadership role.

Despite the promising outlook when he joined, Oakes’ time in charge has been unexpectedly cut short. Alpine’s official announcement confirmed his immediate resignation but did not delve into specific reasons for the decision. The brief statement expressed gratitude for his contributions but avoided elaborating on any potential internal challenges or conflicts that may have led to the split. The timing of the announcement, coming so soon after the Miami Grand Prix, only adds to the sense of urgency and surprise surrounding the situation.

According to Alpine’s official communication, Oakes’ resignation has been accepted and is effective immediately. The team thanked him for his service and highlighted his role in helping Alpine secure a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship — a respectable result in what was otherwise a turbulent year for the team.

“In light of Oliver Oakes’ decision to step down from his position as Team Principal, BWT Alpine Formula One Team acknowledges and accepts his resignation, which takes effect immediately,” the team said in a formal statement. “We are grateful for the commitment and leadership Oliver has shown since joining the team during the 2024 season. His efforts have contributed to our competitive performances and standings in the championship.”

With Oakes’ departure, Alpine has also confirmed that Flavio Briatore, who already serves as Executive Advisor to the team, will temporarily assume the responsibilities previously handled by Oakes. Briatore’s return to a more active role within the team adds another layer of intrigue, given his storied — and at times controversial — history in Formula 1, including a previous stint leading the same Enstone-based team under its earlier incarnations.

The decision to have Briatore step in, even in a temporary capacity, suggests that Alpine is looking to steady the ship quickly while possibly reevaluating its leadership structure for the long term. The move has inevitably led to speculation about the internal dynamics at Alpine, as well as questions over what might have prompted such an abrupt resignation from Oakes.

As it stands, no further details have been shared regarding the circumstances of his departure, and neither Oakes nor Alpine has offered additional comments beyond the official statement. For now, the F1 paddock is left to speculate, as yet another unexpected leadership change unfolds within a team striving to return to the upper ranks of the sport.