123 replies to this topic

[GiorgioF1]

Can you imagine a scenario when one Alpine crashes and the other one is benefitting greatly from that?

[DeKnyff]

Rumour from Autosprint is that Oakes resignation is not so much down to the Doohan-Colapinto situation, but because he's in line to replace Horner at Red Bull, with Horner's position dependent on how the upgrades that will be brought to Imola will work-out.

 

What has this Oakes guy done to deserve one of the most high-profile jobs in the sport?

[pacificquay]

this Oakes guy 

 

 

Phraseology like this only serves to underline the poster's ignorance

[pdac]

We need a photoshop with MBS standing in the background. I'd do it but I already made one Flavio meme way back (with Rich Energy can in his hand) and that's enough of working on that image for my lifetime.

 

Good point ... what is William Storey's opinion on this situation. Is he putting together a bid for the team yet?

Edited by pdac, Today, 10:59.

[CSF]

Rumour from Autosprint is that Oakes resignation is not so much down to the Doohan-Colapinto situation, but because he's in line to replace Horner at Red Bull, with Horner's position dependent on how the upgrades that will be brought to Imola will work-out.

 

Oakes to Red Bull to replace Wheatley makes much more sense. 

[chrcol]

it was a mess before. This is one sided, but still important to hear out.

Way too long to watch, can anyone provide a text summary? thanks.

[DeKnyff]

Phraseology like this only serves to underline the poster's ignorance

 

My apologies, I'm not a native English speaker and I hadn't the slightest idea this expression can be derogative.

 

Now, for the poor ignorants like me: What has Oliver Oakes done to deserve one of the most high-profile jobs in the sport?

[Frood]

What has this Oakes guy done to deserve one of the most high-profile jobs in the sport?

Ex-racer turned F1 feeder series team owner/manager. A lot like a certain Christian Horner, actually.

[DeKnyff]

Ex-racer turned F1 feeder series team owner/manager. A lot like a certain Christian Horner, actually.

 

Correct, but Horner didn't start with the World Champion team.

[Stephane]

Neither did Oakes

[DeKnyff]

Neither did Oakes

 

Yeah, but this is precisely my question: what has he done in one year at Alpine? Is there anything worth noting?

[garoidb]

Rumour from Autosprint is that Oakes resignation is not so much down to the Doohan-Colapinto situation, but because he's in line to replace Horner at Red Bull, with Horner's position dependent on how the upgrades that will be brought to Imola will work-out.

 

Although Horner appears to be an unpopular fellow around here, there is no doubt in my mind that he would surface elsewhere in F1 were this to happen.

[crooky369]

Way too long to watch, can anyone provide a text summary? thanks.

If you put the following into Gemini it'll provide a basic summary.

'Could you please summarise the following video.

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=x5qyy0O5ztk'

[JL14]

Although Horner appears to be an unpopular fellow around here, there is no doubt in my mind that he would surface elsewhere in F1 were this to happen.

 

I would quite like to see a swap between Oakes and Horner. Horner together with Flavio could be quite amusing 

[JL14]

What has this Oakes guy done to deserve one of the most high-profile jobs in the sport?

 

More than Antonelli to be in the high profile (and likely even higher paid) Mercedes seat for example ;)

[pup]

I’ve always felt that a bit of insanity within the midfield provides some necessary comic relief for F1, so of course I’m pleased with this development. And I’m hopeful that the budgie smuggler will become official team wear for the Alpine team and fans alike.

[Secretariat]

To Briatore's credit he is executing a plan that he has already previously explained back in August 2024: “At the moment you need to put the team together, from the commercial side, the technical side, the management side,” he told Formula For Success. “The driver makes no difference now. The difference will be in [2026, ’27, ’28], this should be the difference for the driver.” “If you have a good car, you need a good driver,” he added. “If the car is not performing… our point in this moment, make sure we put all the energy in the technical side and make sure the car of Alpine is looking better and better and improving for next year. In 2026, I believe, we see the new Alpine.” https://www.racefans...not performing…

 

Seems straight forward and logical. Specific to Oakes, as others have pointed out, glad he stood his ground. Obviously he does not want to be puppet or what he was told the job was, is not what it is and Alpine could not keep him even if they wanted to. 

 

EDIT: add link 

Edited by Secretariat, Today, 13:18.

[Alfisti]

Ethics aside, Briatore is actually a really pragmatic guy, he is right in that money talks and makes the car go faster and a top line driver is only needed once you have a better car. Something that has not been addressed however, is that a team boss in the fashion of the way he is now being described, really needs to be at every race and he seems quite frail which is no surprise given his age. The calendar is more sensible than it used to be and a lot of the really long haul stuff is taken care of but can he do these first 7 races in 2026? It is a LOT of travel and back to back to back weekends. 

[danmills]

Flavio can build a team. The man is the definition of business deal.

[Myrvold]

Flavio can build a team. The man is the definition of business deal.

 

He is seemingly not able to sustain it for very long though.

[JL14]

Flavio: "Me and Oli have a very good relationship and had long-term ambitions to drive this team forward together. We respect Oli's request to resign and have therefore accepted his resignation. The reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature."

Oli: "It's been a privilege to lead everyone at Enstone; what a team, what a place. It is a personal decision for me to step down. Flavio has been like a father to me, nothing but supportive since I took the role, as well as giving me the opportunity. Everyone is in place for 2026 and where this dream deserves to be! I believe in Enstone."

 

Those statements make the Red Bull rumour more plausible than a fall-out over the drivers.

[garoidb]

I would quite like to see a swap between Oakes and Horner. Horner together with Flavio could be quite amusing 

 

Yes, but Horner might be getting the better end of the (hypothetical) swap. Alpine will have Mercedes engines. 

[juicy sushi]

He is seemingly not able to sustain it for very long though.

Indeed.  He is the only person to lead Enstone to any success, but in both instances where he built it up, things went sideways and the team broke apart.  The first time he managed to build Benetton through the 1989-1995 period, but lost both of his driving talents and the engineering people.  After a prolonged struggle and rebuild, he did it again in the mid-2000s, but couldn't keep Renault focused through the financial crisis and lost Alonso to Fernando's own ambitions.

 

He likely will be able to do that again, but it will probably still be temporary, and likely with enough ethical red flags that long time fans will not be amused.

[Risil]

Unexpectedly warm words from Oakes about Alpine and Briatore, following his resignation:

"It's been a privilege to lead everyone at Enstone, what a team, what a place," Oakes's statement said.

"It is a personal decision to for me to step down. Flavio has been like a father to me, nothing but supportive since I took the role, as well as giving me the opportunity.

"Everyone is in place for 2026 and where this dream deserve to be. I believe in Enstone."

https://www.the-race...alpine-f1-exit/