The last days have brought two significant changes to the Alpine Formula 1 team.
The first massive change was somewhat expected, with the confirmation that Alpine was leaving aside the rookie Jack Doohan instead of 2024 Williams Super-Sub Franco Colapinto, who the team signed as a reserve pilot before this season. While the measure was rumored in the hours after the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine finished speculation with the official announcement on Wednesday.
The second big change, however, was a much greater shock.
That was the news that the director of the OKER OKES team, who joined the duration of the team, the closing of summer last year and guided Alpine to a surprising sixth place in the Construction Championship, presented his resignation with immediate effect.
That news triggered the unbridled speculation with respect to the rumored change to Colapinto, and the thoughts of a power struggle between Okes and the executive advisor Alpine Flavio Briatore. While the team indicated that there would be no more comments on the matter, Briatore and Oakes have social networks tasks to address the situation.
In an Instagram publication, Briatore declared that the speculation that the resignation was due to “an alleged disagreement” was “completely false and far from the truth:
“LEG has said a lot in the last 24 hours by incorrectly associating the decision to give up an alleged disagreement, or that we share different points of view. This is complete false and far from the truth.
“Oli and I have a very good relationship and long -term ambitions to boost this team. We respect OLI’s request to resign and, therefore, we have accepted their resignation. The reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature.
“I will continue to involve the team more and more, along with the strong management that we already have in its place. We will work hard to improve our position this season and prepare for 2026”.
The publication on social networks also included a message from Oakes letter.
“It is a privilege of bone carrying everyone in Estone, what team, what place.
“It is a personal decision for me to resign. Flavio has been like a father for me, nothing more than support since I show the role, in addition to giving me the opportunity. Everyone is in their place for 2026 and where this dream deserves.
“I believe in Estone.”
Now the team expects to focus its attention on the Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna next week, which will be the first Colapinto race in Aleide Pierre Gasly. However, how long lasts in the seat is the next big question facing the team, since today’s announcement indicated that Colapinto is in the seat for five races, as part of a “continuous evaluation of its driver line.”
Time will say if Colapinto remains in the seat beyond them five races, and after a “new evaluation against the British Grand Prix” in early July.
It is never a boring moment in Formula 1.
