The Alpine F1 Team has announced that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his duties as Team Principal for the Enston-based team.
After the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, there were rumours of a huge change for the Alpine F1 team. However, this was not the change that was expected. Just a day back, there were several rumours suggesting that Franco Colapinto could replace Jack Doohan ahead of the next race in Imola. But there were absolutely no reports that suggested that Oakes may be resigning.
Why did Oliver Oakes resign from his duties at Alpine?
The Alpine F1 Team released the following statement announcing Oakes’ resignation.
“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.”
🚨| BREAKING:
Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes resigns with immediate effect with Flavio Briatore taking over his duties!#F1 https://t.co/xGiZ4tyBpM
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) May 6, 2025
“As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes.”
“The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.”
“The team will not be making any further comment.”
As of now, there is no confirmed explanation as to why Oakes has resigned from his duties. While there are some wild or not-so-wild theories on it, let’s wait until something more concrete is known.
Flavio Briatore back on top
With Oakes stepping down, Alpine has announced that Flavio Briatore will be taking on the duties of team principal in addition to his existing duties as executive advisor. This basically means the team is now under Flavio’s control. Its fair to say that things have turned around for him since he was banned by Formula 1 over a decade ago.
Back in 2008, Briatore scripted an accident during the Singapore Grand Prix, which earned Fernando Alonso a race win. After this was made public, the FIA decided to ban Flavio indefinitely. This ban was overturned in 2010 after Briatore sued the FIA. Now he’s back to being the team principal.
Has Jack Doohan Done Enough to Secure Alpine Seat for the Remainder of the Season?
The newly appointed team principal has already had his glory years in Formula 1. He was the team principal of the Benneton Racing Team back during the 90s when they won 2 Championships with Michael Schumacher. Flavio later won 2 more Championships with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.
While he has a proven track record as a team principal in Formula 1, Briatore is known to be ruthless and decisive.
Do you think Flavio can lead the Alpine F1 Team to success in the coming years? Also, why do you think Oliver Oakes resigned from his role in less than a year?
