In a surprising yet strategic move, Alpine has named Oliver Oakes as their new Team Principal, effective after the summer break. The announcement follows the departure of Bruno Famin, who will step down from the role at the end of August to focus on other motorsport activities within the Renault Group.
Oakes, a former racing driver and founder of the successful Hitech Grand Prix team, brings a fresh perspective and a proven track record of leadership to Alpine. At just 36, he becomes one of the youngest team principals in Formula 1 history.
A New Era for Alpine
The appointment of Oakes signifies a clear intent from Alpine to rejuvenate its F1 program. The team is aiming to harness Oakes’ energy, passion, and proven leadership to drive the team forward and challenge for race wins and championships.
“I am extremely grateful to Luca de Meo and Flavio Briatore for this opportunity to lead BWT Alpine F1 Team back to competitiveness,”
Oakes said. “The team has talented people and excellent resources at its core, and I am confident that we can accomplish a great deal together during the remainder of this season and the longer term.” Â
A Strategic Partnership
Oakes’ previous experience as a team owner and manager, coupled with his racing background, makes him a valuable asset to Alpine. His partnership with Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo and F1 legend Flavio Briatore is expected to create a formidable leadership team.
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Oli Oakes for our Formula 1 project,” said Briatore. “Oli is highly talented with a great record of leadership and success in racing.”
The Road Ahead
Oakes faces a challenging task in turning Alpine into a consistent championship contender. However, with his fresh perspective and the team’s resources, there is optimism about the team’s future.
As the Formula 1 season resumes after the summer break, all eyes will be on Alpine and their new leadership to see how quickly they can implement changes and challenge the front-running teams.
With Oakes at the helm, Alpine is undoubtedly embarking on an exciting new chapter in its Formula 1 journey.
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