Resignation Rocks Alpine Amid Family Controversy
Oliver Oakes has resigned from his position as team principal of Alpine F1, just days after his brother, William Oakes, was arrested in England. This development marks a significant shift within the team, following William’s detention on May 1 for allegedly transferring criminal property.
William Oakes, 31, was apprehended in Silverstone Park, Northamptonshire, where he allegedly possessed a substantial amount of cash. He was subsequently charged and remanded in custody after appearing in Northampton Magistrates’ Court on May 3.
Oliver, 36, announced his resignation on Tuesday, describing it as “a personal decision.” In a joint statement with Flavio Briatore, he sought to dispel rumors that his departure stemmed from internal disputes regarding the team’s driver lineup, following Franco Colapinto’s promotion over Jack Doohan for the forthcoming races.
Briatore emphasized their strong working relationship, stating, “Me and Oli have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this team forward together. We respect Oli’s request to resign… The reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature.”
Notably, Oliver Oakes assumed control of Hitech Grand Prix shares in February 2022, just prior to the sanctions imposed on its previous majority owner, Dmitry Mazepin, following geopolitical events. This shift not only reflects his commitment to the team but also signifies a strategic reorientation amid ongoing challenges in the motorsport landscape.
