Oakes prepared to 'take bullet' for Alpine

New Alpine boss Oliver Oakes has declared that he is prepared to 'take a bullet for the team' after recent management upheaval. 

Oakes was appointed as team principal during the summer break, replacing Bruno Famin who stepped down to focus on his engine responsibilities at Viry in a period of uncertainty for the team. 

Renault is proposing to close its works F1 power unit operation at Viry for 2026, meaning Alpine would revert to customer status - something that prompted a protest from employees at the Italian Grand Prix, although no final decision has been made. 

Since the start of 2023, Alpine has lost two team principals, its CEO, sporting director, technical director, head of aerodynamics, and chief technical officer, with Flavio Briatore brought back by Renault boss Luca de Meo as an executive advisor to work with Oakes, who has stepped up from running the junior Hitech squad. 

Oakes has been keen not to criticise the previous management but declared that he would bring a 'racer's mentality' to the management.

"It just genuinely needs some leadership and support, and as it is on my shoulders, I think it has a clear vision now and clear leadership with me and Flavio," Oakes told media including RacingNews365.

"It does require full commitment from those who are running it, and I think the place probably hasn't had that for a couple of years from those who were running it. 

"That is the biggest thing I wanted to bring - someone who takes the bullet for the team and gives them the support and direction that they need.

"That was my only sort of vision before starting - it needed someone who was a racer and who understood what everybody was going through."