New Alpine leader revealed 

Oliver Oakes has been revealed as the new Team Principal of the Alpine Formula 1 team and will start as early as Zandvoort.

At just 36, Oakes is the second youngest F1 Team Principal ever and will take over from Bruno Famin after the summer break when the latter departs after a year at the top having replaced the similarly sudden departure of Otmar Szafnauer.

Famin announced in Spa he will leave the famous French team at the end of August just when the championship fires back up from a three-week summer break at Zandvoort.

Oakes is a former racing driver and world karting champion in 2005, before joining Hitech in 2015 and pushed the team to great success both Formula 2 and Formula 3.

Oakes is excited by the challenge as he takes over a team currently struggling eighth in the constructors, which is its worst since 2016.

“I am extremely grateful to Luca de Meo and Flavio Briatore for this opportunity to lead BWT Alpine F1 Team back to competitiveness,” he 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.

“I look forward to getting started after the summer break.”

Oakes will report to Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo, who feels the youngster is the right man for the job.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Oli to the team and for him to become one of the youngest Team Principals that this sport has ever seen,” he said. 

“This team is being built for future success and this is highlighted by Oli’s appointment in a senior role. 

“We look forward to harnessing his enthusiasm, energy and passion for racing and realising that mindset across the entire team.”

Part of the decision making process was Flavio Briatore, who has been brought back to Enstone as an Executive Advisor.

“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Oli Oakes for our Formula 1 project,” he said. 

“Oli is highly talented with a great record of leadership and success in racing. 

“His move into this role is a great example of the strength and belief we have in our team and by young, upcoming people, and I’m excited to work closely with him with a joint focus on moving up the grid and winning races.”

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