In the upcoming future, Oliver Oakes will assume the role of team principal for the Alpine Formula 1 team, while Bruno Famin will transition to a full-time position at the brand’s Viry base in France. This change in leadership marks the third time in just over a year that the Alpine team will have a new boss. Famin took over as team principal on an interim basis last July, following Otmar Szafnauer, and eventually became a permanent appointment.
Amidst a significant transformation for Renault’s works F1 team, Oakes will likely prioritize keeping Alpine focused on maximizing short-term performance. This is crucial as major strategic decisions that will impact the team’s long-term prospects unfold. Renault is currently evaluating how to repurpose its Viry-Chatillon facility as it plans to discontinue its own F1 engine project and become a customer of Mercedes instead.
Renault’s decision to cease supplying its own engines while maintaining its team is unprecedented. However, CEO Luca de Meo’s appointment of ex-team principal Flavio Briatore as his executive advisor indicates a shift in the F1 operation. Briatore aims to simplify the team’s structure, potentially leading to a future sale of the team. This move is expected to reduce costs and enhance competitiveness, as Renault has struggled to keep up with its rivals throughout the V6 turbo-hybrid era.
Famin’s position was put into question with Briatore’s arrival, as it became evident that Briatore would have significant influence over de Meo’s decision-making. While Famin and Briatore claimed they would work closely together, Briatore’s seniority and involvement in Oakes’ official announcement suggest otherwise. With Oakes solely assuming the role of team principal, the team gains a clearer structure, allowing Famin to focus on overseeing the challenging transition at Viry, a task he deeply cares about.
Alpine’s decision to hire Oakes could lead to a more effective leadership structure. Briatore’s executive-level involvement, reminiscent of his previous role during his Renault tenure, allows for focused day-to-day management by someone without other distractions. This arrangement could benefit Alpine in the short-term, especially considering the team’s improved performance on the track and its potential to achieve better results than its current eighth-place standing in the constructors’ standings.
While Oakes’ appointment coincides with Alpine’s search for a driver for 2025, the final decision is likely to be made by higher authorities, taking into account Briatore’s influence. Jack Doohan is rumored to be the frontrunner, as Carlos Sainz has committed to Williams instead.
Once Oakes assumes his role, his primary objective will be to maximize Enstone’s potential. This will involve establishing rapport with senior leadership figures at the factory and mitigating any disruptions caused by Renault’s strategic changes. Oakes will benefit from not having to deal with the Viry side of things or corporate interference, allowing him to focus on the steep learning curve that comes with his new position.
The future of the junior single-seater empire Oakes built with Hitech GP remains uncertain. As a director of the Hitech organizations, including Hitech Twenty Six, which aimed to secure an F1 entry for 2026 but was ultimately unsuccessful, Oakes will have to determine the next steps for this venture.
