Flavio Briatore addresses Oliver Oakes’ stunning resignation from Alpine F1

The past few days have brought two significant changes to Alpine’s Formula 1 team.

The first massive change was somewhat expected, with the confirmation that Alpine was sidelining rookie Jack Doohan in place of 2024 Williams super-sub Franco Colapinto, who was signed as a reserve driver by the team before this season. While the move was rumored in the hours after the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine ended the speculation with the official announcement on Wednesday.

The second big change, however, came as a much bigger shock.

That was the news that Team Principal Oliver Oakes — who joined the team during the summer shutdown last year and guided Alpine to a surprising sixth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship — had tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

That news touched off rampant speculation regarding the rumored switch to Colapinto, and thoughts of a power struggle between Oakes and Alpine Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore. While the team indicated there would be no further comment on the matter, Briatore and Oakes have taken to social media to address the situation.

In a post on Instagram, Briatore stated that speculation that the resignation was due to “an alleged disagreement” was “completely false and far from the truth:

“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.

“Me and Oli have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this team forward together. We respect Oli’s request to resign and have therefore accepted his resignation. The reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature.

“I will continue to be more and more involved with the team, together with the strong management we already have in place. We will work hard on improving our position this season and preparing for 2026.”

The post on social media also included a brief message from Oakes.

“It’s been a privilege to lead everyone at Enstone, what a team, what a place.

“It is a personal decision for me to step down. Flavio has been like a father to me, nothing but supportive since I took the role, as well as giving me the opportunity. Everyone is in place for 2026 and where this dream deserves to be.

“I believe in Enstone.”

Now the team hopes to turn their attention to next week’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, which will be Colapinto’s first race alongside Pierre Gasly. However, how long he lasts in the seat is the next big question facing the team, as today’s announcement indicated that Colapinto is in the seat for five races, as part of an “ongoing assessment of its driver lineup.”

Time will tell if Colapinto holds onto the seat beyond those five races, and after a “new evaluation before the British Grand Prix” at the start of July.

Never a dull moment in Formula 1.