Alpine Racing Restructures Driver Line-up Amid Management Shake-Up
Alpine F1 Team has announced significant changes to its personnel, culminating in the promotion of Franco Colapinto to the race line-up, replacing Jack Doohan. This shift, anticipated throughout the preseason, places pressure on Doohan, who has faced scrutiny before even competing in the season opener.
In a surprising turn, Oliver Oakes, the team principal, has resigned. This development comes in the wake of renewed speculation concerning Doohan’s position, with Oakes often seen as the key figure defending his young driver’s prospects. Sources suggest that Oakes departed after realizing that the internal dynamics favored Colapinto, particularly with Flavio Briatore, the executive advisor, aiming to leverage Colapinto’s commercial appeal stemming from his Argentine sponsorship ties.
Briatore has publicly dismissed claims of discord, asserting a strong relationship with Oakes. He stated, “We respect Oli’s request to resign and have therefore accepted his resignation. The reasons are of a personal nature.” Oakes echoed these sentiments, emphasizing personal motivations for stepping down.
The timing of Oakes’ resignation, coinciding with the driver reassignment, has raised questions regarding the governance structure within Alpine. The organization has struggled with continuity in leadership since Renault reacquired the Enstone team, cycling through multiple team principals—each averaging a tenure of just 390 days.
As the team approaches the 2026 season—when it will transition to operating as a customer team under Mercedes power units—the need for stability and a clear vision has become paramount. Alpine’s future identity remains uncertain; it must define its purpose as a customer team while aiming to cultivate a competitive edge.
With the immediate leadership vacuum created by Oakes’ exit, internal candidates like Dave Greenwood or Ciaran Pilbeam may present viable options for succession. The challenge remains: can Alpine establish a coherent strategy to solidify its place in the F1 hierarchy amid ongoing managerial turnover? The answer may dictate both driver retention and team performance in the seasons to come.
