Alpine F1 Team Faces Leadership Shake-Up
Enstone, UK – Flavio Briatore has refuted claims that discord between him and outgoing team principal Oliver Oakes prompted Oakes’ sudden resignation from Alpine F1. Just six races into the 2025 season, Oakes announced his departure, leading to Briatore temporarily assuming his responsibilities.
Briatore emphasized that their relationship remains strong, clarifying, "A lot has been said incorrectly associating the decision of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement. This is completely false." He noted that Oakes’ reasons for stepping down are personal and unrelated to team dynamics.
Oakes, who took over the role in July 2024, expressed gratitude towards his staff at Enstone, describing it as a privilege to lead the team. In a statement, he praised Briatore’s support, stating, "Flavio has been like a father to me… Everyone is in place for 2026."
This leadership change coincides with Alpine’s decision to replace struggling driver Jack Doohan with reserve driver Franco Colapinto for the upcoming five races—a decision believed to have contributed to Oakes’ resignation amid speculation about differing opinions on team management.
Briatore will steer Alpine’s direction alongside the existing technical leadership team, including tech chief David Sanchez and racing director Dave Greenwood. He reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the team’s competitiveness for the current season and looking ahead to 2026.
As the team navigates this transition, the focus remains on stabilizing performance and preparations for future challenges.
