Flavio Briatore has been appointed as the new team principal of Alpine F1, following the resignation of Oliver Oakes. This marks a significant change for the team, with Briatore stepping into the role after working as an executive director for the team.
Oliver Oakes Resigns After Nine Months
Oliver Oakes, who held the position of Alpine team principal for just nine months, has resigned from his post. Alpine accepted Oakes’ resignation with “immediate effect,” according to a statement. The timing of the resignation coincides with the expected change in drivers, as Jack Doohan is set to be replaced by Franco Colapinto before the next race in Imola.
Flavio Briatore’s Role and Return to Formula 1
Briatore, 75, had been working with Oakes in the role of executive director but will now take on the responsibilities of team principal. This is a major shift for Alpine, and Briatore’s return to the F1 scene is noteworthy. At one point, such a move would have seemed unlikely.
In 2008, Briatore was involved in the “Crashgate” scandal during the Singapore Grand Prix. The controversy arose when Nelson Piquet Jr. alleged that Briatore and chief engineer Pat Symonds had instructed him to deliberately crash his car to benefit Fernando Alonso, who went on to win the race. Both Briatore and Symonds denied the accusations, but Renault did not contest them during an FIA hearing. As a result, both left the team, and Briatore was banned from F1 for life.
Overturning the Ban and Briatore’s Return
However, Briatore contested the ban in French courts, and the decision was overturned a year later. Briatore had previously stated that he would never return to F1 but was persuaded to come back in 2024. Renault CEO Luca de Meo convinced him to join Alpine as an executive adviser, which marked his return to the sport after a long absence.
Controversy Surrounding Briatore’s Comeback
Briatore’s return to F1 was met with some controversy, particularly given the negative publicity surrounding the Crashgate scandal. Despite this, Briatore was persuaded to come back to the sport, and Alpine, now operating under the Renault sports car brand, welcomed his involvement.
Alpine’s Recent Management Changes
The resignation of Oakes is not the first significant change at Alpine. The team has undergone a series of management and staff shifts in recent years. In 2023, Otmar Szafnauer was unexpectedly dismissed as team principal. Since then, the team has also lost key figures such as the chief technical officer Pat Fry, the sporting director Alan Permane, the technical director Matt Harman, the head of aerodynamics Dirk de Beer, and operations director Rob White. Briatore replaced Bruno Famin, who had briefly taken over from Szafnauer.
Alpine’s Struggles in the Championship
Alpine, based in Enstone, has a rich history, having won four world championships under Briatore’s leadership with Benetton and Renault. However, the team has struggled to break free from the midfield pack for over a decade. In a major shift, Renault decided to stop producing their own power units at their Viry-Châtillon facility and instead will use Mercedes customer engines starting in 2026. Despite some progress under Oakes, the team currently sits ninth in the Constructors’ Championship after six races in the 2024 season.
Looking Ahead
With Briatore now at the helm, Alpine will hope to move beyond its struggles and challenge for higher positions in the standings. The team faces a tough task ahead, but the involvement of a seasoned figure like Briatore could bring much-needed stability and leadership as they look to improve in the coming seasons.
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