Oliver Oakes confirmed as new Alpine F1 team principal

The Alpine Formula One team have confirmed Oliver Oakes as their new team principal.

Confirmed:

• Oakes will start after the summer break and report directly to Renault Group chief executive Luca de Meo
• The 36-year-old becomes the second-youngest team principal in Formula One history

Context:

Oakes founded Hitech Grand Prix in 2015, which has competed at the forefront of major junior motorsport series such as Formula Two and Formula Three. The team had expressed an interest in joining the Formula One grid for 2026 but proved unsuccessful.

The Brit replaces Bruno Famin who revealed he would be stepping away from the day-to-day running of the Formula One team from August at last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix. Famin initially came on board on an interim basis before being confirmed as the permanent replacement for Otmar Szafnauer when a lack of suitable replacements appeared, so a long-term option was always expected to be found.

Comment:

“It is a pleasure to welcome Oli to the team and for him to become one of the youngest team principals that this sport has ever seen,” said de Meo.

“This team is being built for future success and this is highlighted by Oli’s appointment in a senior role. We look forward to harnessing his enthusiasm, energy and passion for racing and realising that mindset across the entire team.”

Oakes added: “I am extremely grateful to Luca de Meo and Flavio Briatore for this opportunity to lead BWT Alpine F1 Team back to competitiveness.

“The team has talented people and excellent resources at its core, and I am confident that we can accomplish a great deal together during the remainder of this season and the longer term. I look forward to getting started after the summer break.”

Coming next:

Oakes’ first race in charge of Alpine will be the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort from 23rd to 25th August.

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