Formula One team Alpine has appointed Oliver Oakes as their new principal, replacing Bruno Famin. The 36-year-old Englishman, a former driver currently leading the Hitech GP team in F2 and F3, becomes the second youngest team principal in Formula One history.
Oakes will assume his new role after the summer break, reporting to Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to guide Alpine “back to competitiveness.”
“The team has talented individuals and exceptional resources at its core,” Oakes stated. “I am confident that we can achieve significant success together in the remaining season and beyond.”
Famin announced his departure from Alpine at the Belgian Grand Prix, but will continue to oversee other motorsport activities for the Renault Group.
Oakes’s immediate priority will be to improve Alpine’s performance. The team currently ranks eighth in the constructors’ standings, a significant decline from their fourth-place finish in 2022.
This leadership change follows a series of adjustments since Italian Flavio Briatore joined Alpine as an advisor in June. Driver Esteban Ocon has announced his departure to Haas, citing a “frustrating” season with insufficient progress.
Renault is also considering discontinuing engine production for its F1 team. Alpine is reportedly close to securing a deal with Mercedes for 2026, which currently supplies engines to Williams, McLaren, Aston Martin, and its own team.
The Formula One season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort on August 25.
