William Oakes Arrested Amid Leadership Changes at Alpine F1
Silverstone, UK — William Oakes, a director at Hitech Grand Prix and brother of former Alpine F1 team principal Oliver Oakes, was arrested on May 2 in connection with charges of transferring criminal property. The arrest occurred in Silverstone Park, where police discovered Oakes with a significant amount of cash. He has since been remanded in custody following a court appearance on May 3.
This incident coincides with Oliver Oakes’ resignation from Alpine F1, which came just days after his brother’s arrest. Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s executive director, addressed speculation regarding a rift within the team, asserting, “A lot has been said incorrectly… This is completely false and far from the truth.” He emphasized a continued strong relationship with Oliver and stated that the reasons for his resignation were personal and not team-related.
William Oakes has been involved with Hitech Grand Prix since 2022, acquiring a controlling stake from Dmitry Mazepin, amidst sanctions imposed due to geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Despite the familial developments, Alpine has refrained from commenting on the legal issues surrounding William Oakes, clarifying that they do not pertain directly to the Formula 1 team.
Key Takeaways:
- Arrest: William Oakes charged with transferring criminal property; possession of large cash sum noted.
- Resignation: Oliver Oakes resigns from Alpine F1; Briatore denies any internal conflict.
- Team Dynamics: Both Oakes involved in significant management changes impacting Alpine’s future trajectory.
Further developments in this story are anticipated as investigations continue and the management landscape at Alpine evolves.
