In a shocking turn of events, the Formula 1 world has been rocked by the departure of 75-year-old team principal, Oliver Oakes, from Alpine. The sudden exit of Oakes, who took on the role just last summer, has sent ripples through the racing community. F1 legend Ralf Schumacher has criticized the appointment of Flavio Briatore, a seasoned executive at Alpine, to take over Oakes’ position. Schumacher boldly stated that Briatore might be “too old” to handle the day-to-day operations of the team, raising concerns about the direction Alpine is headed.
The drama doesn’t end there, as Alpine made the bold decision to ax Jack Doohan and bring in Franco Colapinto as his replacement for the upcoming races. This unexpected move has left fans and experts alike questioning the motives behind such a swift change in the driver lineup. Briatore’s controversial past, including his involvement in the infamous ‘Crashgate’ scandal in 2008, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Despite his successful track record with Benetton and Renault, Briatore’s return to a prominent role in F1 has sparked debates within the paddock.
As the F1 world grapples with these seismic shifts, all eyes are on Alpine to see how they will navigate these turbulent waters under the leadership of a new principal and a revamped driver lineup. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix approaches.
