Alpine, the Formula One team, has appointed Oliver Oakes as their new principal, replacing Bruno Famin. Oakes, a 36-year-old Englishman and former driver currently leading the Hitech GP team in lower F2 and F3 categories, will be the second youngest team principal in Formula One history. He is set to start his new role after the summer break and will report to Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo. Oakes expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Alpine back to competitiveness, highlighting the team’s talented individuals and resources.
Famin, the outgoing principal, announced his departure during the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend. He will continue to oversee all other motorsport activities of the Renault Group. Oakes will have the task of improving the team’s performance as Alpine is currently eighth out of 10 in the constructors’ standings, a significant drop from their fourth-place finish in 2022. The decision to change principals comes amid a series of changes following the appointment of Italian Flavio Briatore as advisor to the French team.
One of Alpine’s drivers, Esteban Ocon, has already announced his move to Haas and expressed frustration over the lack of improvement in certain areas throughout the season. Additionally, Renault is planning to stop producing engines for its F1 team. Alpine is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with Mercedes for 2026, as Mercedes currently supplies engines to Williams, McLaren, Aston Martin, and their own single-seaters. The Formula One season will resume with the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on August 25.
In summary, the appointment of Oliver Oakes as Alpine’s new principal marks a new chapter for the Formula One team as they aim to improve their performance and competitiveness. Oakes, a former driver with experience in lower racing categories, will be stepping into the role after the summer break. His main focus will be on getting the team back on track as they currently languish in eighth place in the constructors’ standings. The changes within the team, including the departure of Bruno Famin and plans to switch engine suppliers, reflect a strategic shift as Alpine looks to make significant improvements for the future. The upcoming races will be crucial for Alpine as they seek to make advancements and secure a better position in the championship standings.
