Alpine have introduced workforce principal Oliver Oakes has resigned with instant impact.
Oakes, who grew to become Alpine boss final summer time, could have his duties taken over by govt advisor Flavio Briatore, who oversaw a number of world titles for Benetton within the Nineties and Renault within the mid-2000s.
The shock announcement comes after Sky Sports activities Information discovered Alpine are contemplating dropping driver Jack Doohan forward of the subsequent F1 race at Imola on Might 16-18, with reserve driver Franco Colapinto in line for a return.
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Alpine mentioned: “BWT Alpine Formulation One Workforce proclaims that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his function as workforce principal. The workforce has accepted his resignation with instant impact.
“As of right now, Flavio Briatore will proceed as govt advisor and also will be overlaying the duties beforehand carried out by Oliver Oakes.
“The workforce want to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined final summer time and for his contribution in serving to the workforce safe sixth place within the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.
“The workforce is not going to be making any additional remark.”
Oliver Oakes was the second youngest workforce principal in F1 historical past (AP Picture/Darko Bandic)
Oakes based the Hitech Grand Prix in 2015, with the British-based outfit spearheading the single-seater championships, together with Formulation 2 and Formulation 3. The Briton is a former racing driver and received the 2005 karting world title.
He took over from Otmar Szafnauer as Alpine workforce principal in August 2024 and noticed the a spectacular double podium for Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly in Brazil later that yr.
Briatore is a controversial determine in F1 after being a part of the “Crashgate” scandal which noticed his driver Nelson Piquet deliberately crash on the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to assist Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso win the race.
Flavio Briatore has taken up workforce principal duties at Alpine
He obtained a lifetime ban from F1 for his involvement within the incident however this was overturned by a French court docket.
The 75-year-old returned to F1 in Might 2024 as Alpine’s govt advisor.
Briatore has been concerned with F1 for the reason that early Nineties, and loved championship success with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995, then Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.
Why has Oakes resigned?
Sky Sports activities’ Nigel Chiu:
“This all probably comes again to Jack Doohan’s unsure future. Thus far, the 22-year-old has had a tough rookie marketing campaign at Alpine, together with two massive crashes in Australia and Japan, then a exceptional rant on the final race in Miami when he was knocked out within the first a part of Dash Qualifying.
“Doohan got here into the season beneath enormous stress as a result of signing of Franco Colapinto as Alpine reserve driver. Nevertheless, Doohan has seemingly had the backing of Oliver Oakes.
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Jack Doohan ranted at his Alpine workforce after being eradicated in SQ1 in Miami
“When Alpine signed Colapinto, Flavio Briatore described the Argentine as ‘among the many greatest younger abilities in motorsport’ and is clearly a fan of him.
“Maybe Briatore and Oakes have clashed over who ought to drive alongside Pierre Gasly this season and Briatore has received the battle, if this information is something to go by, resulting in Oakes’ shock resignation.”
F1’s European season begins with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on Might 16-18, dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime