Damon Hill couldn’t hold back his surprise as Flavio Briatore resurfaced at Alpine, solidifying his position amid management upheavals.
In a week filled with unexpected changes at Alpine, former team principal Flavio Briatore has reclaimed the reins of leadership. After a sudden reshuffling, which saw the demotion of Jack Doohan in favor of Franco Colapinto and the unexpected departure of Oliver Oakes, Briatore is back at the helm—a position he last held 17 years ago.
Briatore’s return instantly brings back memories of the infamous “Crashgate” scandal, a significant controversy in Formula 1 history. Despite carrying the weight of a lifetime ban, which was later overturned, Briatore is once again steering the team with vigor. Hill’s shock was evident after the shake-up, as he quickly took to social media to express his disbelief, tweeting, “This is a joke, right?” Upon confirmation of the leadership change, he confidently predicted, “My guess is Flav will be the last one.”
The leadership role at Alpine has seen a revolving door of figures since 2016. Starting with Fred Vasseur, followed by Cyril Abiteboul, and transitioning through several others, the team has struggled with consistency. Recent events only amplify the turbulent history at Alpine’s headquarters, as the team stumbled down from the fourth position in the 2022 standings to ninth place this season, scoring a mere seven points.
The rumors swirling around Oakes’ resignation and the controversial driver swap were further fueled by the arrest of his brother, William Oakes, charged with “transferring criminal property.” Briatore clarified any misunderstandings by stating that the resignation was mutual and personal, unrelated to any team dynamics or disagreements. This explanation attempts to put to rest any speculation regarding upheaval within the team due to internal conflicts.
Briatore remains steadfast, announcing a strong commitment to Alpine’s future. He expressed his intentions on social media, emphasizing a fruitful working relationship with Oakes and a shared vision for advancing the team. Despite the current setbacks, Briatore reassures fans and stakeholders that efforts to improve Alpine’s performance and prepare for the future are well underway.
With Flavio Briatore once again leading Alpine amidst controversy and predictions, only time will tell if this seasoned figure can stabilize the team and guide it back to its former glory.
