Oliver Oakes Steps Down as Alpine Team Principal Amid Family Controversy
Oliver Oakes has officially stepped down from his role as the team principal of Alpine, just days after his brother, William Oakes, was apprehended in England. This development has raised eyebrows in the motorsport community, particularly given the timing of the two events.
William Oakes is known for his position as a director of Hitech Grand Prix, a racing team based in Silverstone, England. His role is documented in the UK’s Companies House filings, where he shares directorial responsibilities with his brother, Oliver. The news of William’s arrest broke on May 2, a mere four days before Oliver’s unexpected resignation from Alpine.
According to the Metropolitan Police, William Oakes, aged 31, was charged with transferring criminal property after being found in possession of a significant sum of cash. The police reported that he was stopped in the Silverstone Park area on May 1, leading to his court appearance at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on May 3. Following the court proceedings, he was remanded in custody.
Oliver Oakes, 36, characterized his resignation from Alpine as “a personal decision” in a joint statement with Flavio Briatore, who sought to clarify that Oliver’s departure was not due to any disagreements concerning the team’s driver line-up or strategic direction. Just a day after Oliver’s resignation, Franco Colapinto was confirmed as the new driver, replacing Jack Doohan for the next five races.
Briatore addressed the speculation surrounding Oliver’s resignation, stating, “A lot has been said in the past 24 hours incorrectly associating the decision of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement, or that we shared different views. This is completely false and far from the truth.” He emphasized that both he and Oliver had maintained a strong professional relationship and that their ambitions for the team were aligned. Briatore expressed his respect for Oliver’s decision to resign, reiterating that the reasons were strictly personal and not related to the operations of Alpine.
The Oakes family’s connection to motorsport runs deep, particularly through their involvement with Hitech Grand Prix. In a notable turn of events, the team was previously majority owned by Dmitry Mazepin, who held 75% of the shares through Bergton Management Limited. However, in February 2022, those shares were transferred to Oliver Oakes, making him the sole shareholder—just weeks before the geopolitical tensions that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to various sanctions against several oligarchs, including Mazepin.
Following the transfer of ownership, a new entity named Hitech Grand Prix Holdings was established to manage the shares. In July 2024, Oliver Oakes regained full ownership from this new company, shortly before his appointment as Alpine’s team principal.
The motorsport industry is closely watching the developments surrounding both Oliver and William Oakes, as the implications of William’s legal troubles may resonate beyond their immediate family. With Oliver’s recent resignation, questions arise about the future leadership at Alpine and how this shake-up may affect the team’s performance and strategic direction moving forward.
In motorsport, team principal roles are crucial for overseeing the operational and strategic aspects of a racing team. A well-functioning team principal not only manages the drivers and coaches but also coordinates with engineers, mechanics, and the broader organization to ensure competitive performance on the racetrack. With Oliver Oakes stepping down, Alpine now faces the challenge of filling this vital position while maintaining the team’s momentum in the competitive landscape of Formula 1 racing.
As the situation develops, fans and analysts are keen to see how Alpine will navigate this transition. The team’s recent announcement of Franco Colapinto as a driver indicates that they are already making strategic moves to ensure ongoing competitiveness. Colapinto’s selection reflects a commitment to bringing fresh talent into the lineup, which could potentially yield positive results in the upcoming races.
The racing community often rallies around teams during times of crisis, and the support for Alpine may be a key factor in their ability to move forward effectively. Team dynamics can significantly impact performance, and how the remaining leadership at Alpine adapts to this sudden change will be pivotal in determining their success in the future.
In summary, Oliver Oakes’ resignation as team principal of Alpine comes amid a tumultuous period for the Oakes family, marked by William Oakes’ legal issues. While Oliver has stated that his resignation is a personal choice, the timing raises questions about the interconnectedness of their circumstances. As the motorsport world watches closely, Alpine will need to act quickly to fill the leadership gap and ensure that the team continues to strive for excellence on the racetrack.
The implications of these events extend beyond the immediate family, as they may influence the broader dynamics within the racing world. With Oliver’s departure and the ongoing situation involving William, stakeholders in the sport will be observing how these developments unfold and what they mean for the future of Alpine and the Hitech Grand Prix team.
Ultimately, the world of motorsport is no stranger to challenges and controversies, and how teams respond to these situations often defines their legacy. As Alpine prepares for the upcoming races, the focus will not only be on the performance of their new driver but also on the stability and direction of the team in a rapidly changing environment.
