In a surprising post-Miami Grand Prix announcement, Alpine F1 Team confirmed that Team Principal Oliver Oakes has stepped down from his role with immediate effect. The news marks another major shift in leadership for the embattled Enstone-based team, which continues to grapple with underperformance and internal friction.
Official Confirmation from Alpine
The official statement from Alpine read:
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal. The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect. As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver.”
Oakes took the reins in July 2024, stepping into a team struggling for form but with lofty ambitions. His resignation comes less than a year later, underscoring the turbulent atmosphere surrounding Alpine’s management structure.
Disappointing Performance in 2025
Alpine currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship after six races, with just seven points on the board. Rookie driver Jack Doohan has failed to score, while Pierre Gasly has carried the team with all available points so far.
The team’s on-track struggles have been compounded by off-track uncertainty. The lack of results has put pressure on the team’s leadership and direction, and Oakes’ exit now adds further instability ahead of the European leg of the season.
Driver Disagreements and Internal Tension
Reports suggest that Oakes’ resignation may have stemmed from disagreements with Alpine’s top brass, specifically over the driver lineup. The tipping point appears to have been the contentious decision to replace Jack Doohan with reserve driver Franco Colapinto.
Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor, is said to have backed Colapinto’s promotion. This reportedly clashed with Oakes’ more developmental approach regarding Doohan’s future. With Doohan underperforming and Briatore pushing for a reset, the power struggle may have left Oakes little room to maneuver.
Flavio Briatore Takes Over — Again
The departure of Oakes means Flavio Briatore will assume greater control over the team’s day-to-day operations. Briatore is no stranger to this position, having led the team during its Benetton and Renault eras and winning championships with Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso.
His return to the spotlight is not without controversy. Briatore was at the center of the infamous 2008 “Crashgate” scandal that led to a lifetime ban from Formula 1, later overturned. His 2024 return as an advisor marked a shock comeback, and his quick ascension back to team leadership is already raising eyebrows across the paddock.
A Pattern of Instability
Oakes was Alpine’s fifth team principal since 2020, continuing a trend of high turnover that has hindered long-term development. Critics have likened the team’s management structure to that of a chaotic football club, swapping leadership with alarming frequency in search of results that remain elusive.
The recurring changes have created a leadership vacuum and a lack of strategic continuity — something even a high-profile figure like Briatore will struggle to fix unless given time and authority to rebuild properly.
What’s Next for Alpine?
With the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola just around the corner, Alpine faces an immediate challenge: stabilizing team morale, clarifying its driver situation, and making the most of any potential car upgrades. All of this while integrating a new leadership dynamic under Briatore.
Fans and insiders will be watching closely to see whether Briatore can steer the team in a more competitive direction or whether Alpine’s season continues to unravel under the weight of internal upheaval.
Oliver Oakes’ resignation underscores the internal tension and relentless pressure within Formula 1. For Alpine, the move represents another shake-up in a critical season. While Briatore brings experience and a no-nonsense style of leadership, whether it translates to improved performance remains to be seen.
As the team prepares for the European races, Alpine is now not only fighting for points but also for identity and stability — two things that have eluded them for far too long.
