Alpine Racing is gearing up for a fresh start with a new team principal on the horizon.
- Almost a year after Otmar Szafnauer’s departure, Bruno Famin is stepping down as Alpine’s interim leader.
- The motorsport world is buzzing with rumors, pointing to Oliver Oakes as the potential successor.
- Turmoil is brewing within the team, with possible shifts to Mercedes power units by 2026 causing unrest.
- Flavio Briatore, a familiar face, returns to Alpine in an advisory role amid these changes.
In a crucial shake-up, Alpine Racing is set to welcome its third team principal in under two years. Bruno Famin, who stepped up after Otmar Szafnauer’s exit, is expected to vacate his role after the Belgian Grand Prix. This change signifies a dynamic shift as the team seeks fresh leadership ahead of the 2026 season.
Renowned for his prowess in the motorsport arena, Oliver Oakes emerges as a frontrunner to take on the pivotal leadership role. As the founder of Hitech GP, Oakes brings a wealth of experience from Formula 2 and Formula 3. If confirmed, his appointment will mark him as the youngest principal in the competitive circuit.
Alpine’s internal dynamics are currently strained. The team is grappling with the looming regulation changes set for 2026, when they are rumored to switch to Mercedes power units. This speculation has reportedly left the engineering team at Viry-Chatillon in a state of unrest, having invested considerable effort into developing a new power unit.
Adding to the intrigue is the return of Flavio Briatore, the former Renault/Benetton leader, now stepping in as an executive advisor. His involvement is seen as a strategic move to stabilize and guide the team through these turbulent times. Briatore’s presence within the Renault organization is a nod to his previous successful tenures in similar capacities.
Amidst these swirling changes, an Alpine spokesperson has chosen to keep details under wraps, declining to comment on the unfolding developments. The motorsport world watches closely as the team navigates these transitions, with eyes on both the leadership potential of Oakes and the guiding influence of Briatore.
Alpine Racing faces significant changes as it looks ahead to new leadership, technological shifts, and strategic guidance.
