Oliver Oakes, the Team Principal of Alpine, has his sights set on making significant strides in Formula 1 by 2025. He aims to propel the team from its current position in the midfield and start challenging the top-tier teams in the sport.
In 2024, Alpine had high aspirations, however, they found themselves at the back of the pack during pre-season testing and the season opener. But a significant turnaround happened under the stewardship of Oakes, who took over the reins in August. A series of upgrades and a surprising double podium finish in Brazil contributed to a late-season surge, which saw Alpine secure the sixth position in the Constructors’ standings.
Pierre Gasly, one of the team’s drivers, consistently posed a threat to the top 10 during the closing stages of the 2024 season both in qualifying and racing. Oakes is eager to maintain this momentum and continue their upward trajectory.
When queried about the future prospects of the team, and whether they could challenge the likes of McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes, and Red Bull, Oakes responded optimistically yet realistically in an interview with Motorsport Week. He said, “We are aware that the front-running teams have an edge, but our aim is to keep pushing and start to challenge them. We are not defeatist, but we also understand the competition is fierce.”
The fight for the midfield supremacy in F1 is expected to intensify in 2025. Last year, Alpine managed to outperform Haas and Racing Bulls to secure the sixth spot in the Constructors’ standings. Aston Martin, however, remained out of reach in fifth position due to a strong start to the season.
Recent developments suggest a more competitive season this year, with four or five teams potentially vying for the fifth spot in the championship. Aston Martin’s recent struggles and Williams’ impressive testing performance underpin this prediction.
According to Oakes, success for Alpine would be to build on their strong finish last year and remain a dominant force in the midfield. He acknowledges the competitiveness of the midfield and the unpredictability brought about by different circuits. However, he remains confident in the team’s ability to maintain their end-of-season form and start the new season strongly.
Alpine is currently preparing for the upcoming season, with Oakes expressing optimism about their prospects following recent test days. Amidst these preparations, the team remains committed to transparent communication about its driver plans, despite ongoing rumors about Jack Doohan.
