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Team boss Oakes makes shock exit from Alpine
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has resigned from his position with immediate effect, with Flavio Briatore taking over his responsibilities.
Oakes was only named team principal of Alpine last summer, beginning work in August and first attending a race in his role at Zandvoort after the mid-season shutdown. The Briton had been due to speak to the media on Sunday night after the Miami Grand Prix but that session was cancelled due to a change of travel plans, with the general belief being that it was to avoid facing multiple questions about potential driver line-up changes.
Alpine has been weathering increasing speculation about Jack Doohan being replaced by Franco Colapinto, and the Argentinian is understood to be being considered for a promotion from the next race in Imola. Oakes stated on Friday that the drivers are constantly being evaluated, but emphasized that that as things stood, Doohan would be racing alongside Pierre Gasly at Imola.
While the focus has been on the driver line-up, Alpine is now moving on to its fifth team principal in the past four years. The team did not give a reason for Oakes’ resignation.
“BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as team principal,” a team statement read.
“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.
“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.”
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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