Turbulent times at Alpine! Flavio Briatore and Oliver Oakes speak out and clarify the situation amid widespread speculation: resignation was for personal reasons
Quite a lot going on at Alpine: Oliver Oakes out as team boss, Flavio Briatore in! Jack Doohan out as driver, Franco Colapinto in! The shake-up at the Enstone-based team is less than 24 hours old, but due to the huge waves caused by the decisions, Alpine feels compelled to issue another statement on Wednesday afternoon.
Briatore goes on the offensive with a social media post, stating: “A lot of falsehoods have been said in the last 24 hours linking Oli’s decision to step down to an alleged disagreement or to us having different views. This is completely untrue and far from the truth.”
Briatore explains: “Oli and I have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to move this team forward together.” However, the Italian points out: “We respect Oli’s wish to step down and have therefore accepted his resignation. The reasons have nothing to do with the team, but are of a personal nature.”
Oakes clarifies: Alpine departure is for “personal” reasons
Commenting on his appointment as team principal, Briatore said: “I will continue to be heavily involved in the team, together with the strong management we already have in place. We will work hard to improve our position this season and prepare for 2026.”
Briatore then handed over to his predecessor Oakes, who also addressed “the whole team” with a message: “It has been a privilege to lead everyone at Enstone, what a team, what a place,” the Briton was quoted as saying.
As Briatore had already announced, he also emphasizes: “It is a personal decision for me to step down.” There is no question of a dispute with Briatore, as Oakes ultimately praises: “Flavio was like a father to me. He has supported me unconditionally since I took over the role and gave me the opportunity to do so in the first place.”
Looking ahead to the team he is leaving, Oakes concludes on an optimistic note: “Everyone is ready for 2026 and ready to make their well-deserved dream come true! I believe in Enstone.” Just not as part of Alpine in the future…