‘Watford of F1' in chaos as team principal RESIGNS just six races into season with driver facing axe too
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ALPINE have announced the resignation of Team Principal Oliver Oakes just six races into the Formula One season, amid rumours they are also looking at replacing rookie Jack Doohan.
In a statement on Tuesday evening after the Miami Grand Prix, Alpine confirmed Oakes had resigned from his post with immediate effect.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has resigned with immediate effect
Credit: Rex
5
It comes after another disastrous race in Miami which saw one driver retire and another finish P13
Credit: Rex
5
Further reports claim the team are set to axe rookie Jack Doohan after six races
Credit: Rex
The statement said: "BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal.
'The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect.
'As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as Executive Advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes.
'The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors' Championship.
'The team will not be making any further comment.'
Oakes, 37, only joined the French constructor as team principal last July.
However, a poor start to the 2025 F1 season has left the team down in ninth place in the Constructors Championship, and only one point ahead of bottom placed team Sauber.
His exit means he is the fifth team principal to leave the Enstone-based team since 2020.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Reacting to the news, one fan said: "Alpine are the Watford of F1," a joke that comes on the same day the Championship outfit sacked manager Tom Cleverley.
A second said: "Alpine moving like prime Watford."
Lewis Hamilton fumes 'have a tea break while you're at it' at Ferrari staff and refuses to apologise in Miami GP bust-up
A third added: "Alpine are basically the Watford of Formula One."
Another said: "And the revolving door of team principals at Alpine continues; Ollie Oakes gone after less than a year. What a joke of an organisation."
A fifth said: "Alpine is soo COOKED. This team is a joke. We know exactly what their next move is."
Former Red Bull driver Pierre Gasly has scored 100 per cent of the team's points so far this season.
Rookie team-mate Doohan has struggled to find pace in the car and came closest to scoring points at the Chinese Grand Prix with a P13 finish.
5
The Australian did not even finish one lap of the Miami race after picking up a puncture when Liam Lawson made contact with him after placing his car in a gap which did not exist at Turn 1.
Doohan - the son of five-time MotoGP champion, Mick, and who was given his first-ever kart by seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher - tried to make it back to the pits but was forced to pull over at a service road.
The 22-year-old called the incident "disappointing", while Gasly admitted the team "need answers" on their pace struggles.
But despite his rotten luck, paddock rumours suggest he could be replaced by reserve driver Franco Colapinto, who was the favourite for the seat after his stint at Williams at the back end of last season.
The Argentine was poached from Williams to Alpine as their reserve driver, which had put Doohan's seat under pressure before the season had even begun.
Ralf Schumacher previously claimed to the Backstage Boxengasse podcast that Doohan had a $17m (£12.7m) sponsor deal with the team, though Colapinto has significant backing of his own from Latin American sponsors.
But Doohan is now set to become the second axed driver of the season after Lawson was demoted from Red Bull to Racing Bulls in place of Yuki Tsunoda after two woeful race weekends.
Unfortunately, Doohan will not have a second team seat to fall back on his like Kiwi counterpart.
The next race will commence on May 18.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Kylian Mbappe furiously grabs referee Michael Oliver's watch in France defeat
Mbappe led the French protests at full-time against Spain (Picture: Getty0 A furious Kylian Mbappe grabbed referee Michael Oliver's watch to check how much time was left during France's Nations League defeat to Spain. The European champions came out on top in a 5-4 thriller in Stuttgart on Thursday night with Lamine Yamal again running the show. The Barcelona sensation scored twice with Spain leading 5-1 with just over 20 minutes of the match remaining before France began mounting a comeback. Rayan Cherki's effort and an own goal from Dani Vivian had Les Blues back in the game before Randal Kolo Muani pulled another back three minutes into added time. Oliver had added on five minutes at the end of the 90, blowing his whistle with the clock approaching 96 minutes after an extra goal was scored and a substitution was made in that allotted time. With his side still chasing an equaliser, Mbappe angrily approached the Premier League referee at full-time, demanding to see his watch. 'We are angry,' the Real Madrid star TF1. 'I didn't agree with the referee about the actual playing time. Yamal scored twice for Spain (Picture; Getty Images) 'The problem is that it's a recurring thing, but if I talk about it now, people will think I'm a hater, so I don't want to talk about it. 'It's just that when there are five minutes (of added time), you have to play five minutes. It's not five minutes that go by, it's completely different.' Mbappe added: 'We're pissed off, it's normal because we wanted to win, we played with desire. 'We really wanted to come back, but in the end we lost and we're frustrated.' Cherki masterclass almost rescues France France will meet Germany in a third place play-off on Sunday with Spain set to meet Portugal in the final later that evening. Cherki had a huge impact off the bench (Picture: Getty Images) Cherki made his debut off the bench after replacing Michael Olise after 63 minutes, playing a key role in the French fightback. More Trending The Lyon star, who confirmed post-match he is on the brink of joining Manchester City, netted a stunning half-volley, provided the cross that resulted in Vivian's own goal and laid on the assist for Muani's late effort. 'I'm not someone who dreads matches, I take them as they come,' Cherki said. 'I knew that when I came on, there would be a lot of space. I came on to give good balls to my teammates. 'On an individual level, we don't really care. We're disappointed with what happened tonight.' Arrow MORE: Spain vs France TV channel and live stream: How to watch Nations League semi-final in the UK tonight Arrow MORE: Florian Wirtz clashes with Bruno Fernandes in Germany's Nations League loss to Portugal
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Watford sign ex-Middlesbrough defender Bola
Watford have signed former Middlesbrough defender Marc Bola on a free transfer from Turkish Super Lig side 27-year-old, who joins on a three-year deal, started his career at Arsenal but moved on to Blackpool before spending four seasons in the Championship at did not make a first-team appearance during his time with the Gunners but after leaving Middlesbrough for Turkey in 2023 he helped Samsunspor qualify for next season's Europa League for the first time in their history."We really want to get promoted as a team, we've got big plans and I'm just happy to be on board," Bola told the Watford website."I have unfinished business in this league and I feel like this is the right club to be a part of to achieve that goal."
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Lewis Hamilton's character clear as rival makes admission about F1 relationship
Isack Hadjar has opened up about his relationship with Lewis Hamilton, admitting that he doesn't seek driving advice from the seven-time world champion as he is still a rival Lewis Hamilton has demonstrated his competitive edge, refraining from giving rookie Isack Hadjar any tips despite their budding rapport. The Formula 1 icon, who is experiencing a challenging debut season with Ferrari after his high-profile departure from Mercedes, has yet to secure even a single podium finish in his opening nine races for the Prancing Horse. At the Spanish Grand Prix, where he achieved a respectable seventh-place finish, 20-year-old Racing Bulls up-and-comer Hadjar opened up about his interactions with Hamilton, who is 20 years his senior. Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, he said: "It's always nice to race with him, spend time with him. "Sometimes talking to him is great because he's someone I've supported since I was very young. And now being alongside his father great; we get along well. Obviously, there's a big age gap. There's a lot of respect." Despite sharing track time and forming a personal connection with the seven-time world champion, Hadjar also explained that the nature of their competition limits the extent of Hamilton's guidance. He added: "He doesn't give me much advice because we're still rivals. If I need advice, I'll ask, but I don't need help. I don't like asking for help; I prefer to learn on my own," reports the Express. Elsewhere, Hadjar also explained his excitement to share the grid with Fernando Alonso, who is currently driving for Aston Martin following stints with Renault, Alpine, McLaren and Ferrari. He added: "It's weird because he was in F1 when I wasn't even born. "When he was at Ferrari, I was a big fan. It's very strange, but at the same time, I give everything I have against him when I meet him on the track. "I've been against him in Jeddah, I think. It's great to fight people like that, it's amazing." Yet, when it comes to his early influences, the French-Algerian racer said that his style was more shaped by Hamilton than 2005 and 2006 champion Alonso. He added: "Growing up, I was more of a fan of Hamilton's driving style. "His race management on Saturday when he was in Mercedes. I wasn't watching the Grand Prix, I was just putting on Lewis' onboard camera and watching the race. I learned a lot from him." It's been a standout season so far for Hadjar, who was bumped up to Racing Bulls after Liam Lawson joined forces with Max Verstappen at the main Red Bull team. Despite a rocky start at the Australian GP back in March, the young driver has shown considerable potential throughout the season. Hadjar has managed to finish just one spot behind Hamilton in Japan, Monaco and Spain this year and has outperformed Alonso in every race except the Australian GP - an impressive feat given his relative inexperience compared to the seasoned pros. Currently sitting ninth in the F1 standings, fans are keen to see just how far up the ladder Hadjar can climb this season. His next hurdle is the Canadian GP at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve next weekend, as we approach the mid-point of the season.
