Alpine’s Leadership Shake-Up: Red Bull Connections and Briatore’s Influence Bring Oliver Oakes to the Helm
In a significant move during the Belgian Grand Prix, Alpine announced that Oliver Oakes would take over as their new Team Principal, following the departure of his predecessor. The 36-year-old Oakes, who has deep-rooted connections with Red Bull, is seen by many as a promising leader with the potential to drive Alpine toward future success.
Oakes, a former member of the Red Bull young drivers program, first made his mark in motorsport by winning the World Karting Championship in 2005. His racing career intertwined with the early days of several now-prominent figures in the sport, including others who were part of the Red Bull driver pool. His connections with Christian Horner and Helmut Marko, key figures at Red Bull, have been highlighted by Sky Sports reporter Ted Kravitz, who noted that Oakes has frequently been seen in discussions with the duo, a testament to his longstanding ties with Milton Keynes.
Kravitz elaborated on Oakes’s role in managing Red Bull’s young drivers in lower racing series like F2 and F3, which has kept him closely aligned with Red Bull’s broader strategy for nurturing talent. This extensive experience and his familiarity with the Red Bull ecosystem have positioned Oakes as a well-connected figure in the world of Formula 1.
However, it’s not just his Red Bull connections that have propelled Oakes into his new role at Alpine. In June, Alpine’s leadership took another notable turn with the appointment of Flavio Briatore, a seasoned and controversial figure in F1, as Executive Advisor. Briatore’s influence cannot be understated, and his endorsement of Oakes as Alpine’s Team Principal speaks volumes about the trust placed in the young leader.
Briatore, who was instrumental in some of F1’s most infamous moments, including the Crashgate scandal, is known for his keen eye for talent and management acumen. According to Kravitz, Briatore and Oakes share a mutual respect, with Briatore possibly seeing qualities in Oakes that remind him of his younger self. This connection likely played a crucial role in Oakes’s elevation to the top job at Alpine.
Oakes’s appointment as Team Principal at Alpine is not just a personal milestone but also a significant strategic move for the team. His experience managing Red Bull’s young talents in the feeder series, combined with Briatore’s mentorship, could provide Alpine with the leadership and vision needed to compete at the highest level in Formula 1.
As Oakes steps into his new role, all eyes will be on Alpine to see how the team evolves under his leadership. With a blend of Red Bull pedigree and Briatore’s backing, Oakes has the potential to lead Alpine to new heights in the fiercely competitive world of F1.
Will Oliver Oakes’s Red Bull roots and Briatore’s influence bring success to Alpine? How do you see his leadership shaping the team’s future? Share your thoughts below!
Photo from Briatore Instagram
