Latest news with #HitechGP
The Sun
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Former F1 team boss makes secret return to Imola GP paddock just days after resigning following brother's arrest
FORMER Alpine boss Oliver Oakes has made a shock return to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix paddock days after handing in his resignation. The Brit, 37, quit his team principal role this month after his brother, a fellow motorsport director, was arrested and charged with 'transferring criminal property'. Oakes was spotted behind-the-scenes in the Formula 2 and Formula 3 paddocks in Imola, where he will continue to serve as a director of junior team Hitech GP. His younger brother William, a fellow boss at Hitech, was arrested at Silverstone Park on May 1 after he was found 'in possession of a large amount of cash.' Oakes resigned from Alpine two days after the Miami Grand Prix and flew straight to Dubai, rather than travelling with the team back to England. It's been a hectic month for Alpine, with driver Jack Doohan dropped for Franco Colapinto, who crashed in the first practice session on Friday. Racing director Dave Greenwood has assumed team principal duties, but consultant Flavio Briatore is the de facto boss because he doesn't hold a required F1 licence. Meanwhile, a third director, Michael William Charles Sanwell-Lewis, has been appointed to the Hitech GP board. While some were surprised to spot Oakes, who only took charge of Alpine in July 2024, he remains committed to Hitech, the team formerly led by Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin. Formula 2 and Formula 3 are only invited to support a few F1 weekends a year, so the timing for Oakes is unfortunate. Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decade William of Rugby, Warwickshire, was remanded in custody after appearing at Northampton Magistrates' Court on May 3.
Arab News
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Dubai-based racing talent targets F1 goals after ‘milestone' Alpine move
DUBAI: A young UAE motorsport driver hopes his move to Alpine Academy can help him achieve his goal of racing in Formula 1 in the future. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Dubai-based Keanu Al-Azhari, 17, recently joined F1's Alpine Academy and will race for Hitech GP in the GB3 Championship this year after two seasons in Formula 4. He praised Dubai Autodrome, a subsidiary of Union Properties, for its role in his sporting development. Al-Azhari described his move to Alpine Academy as a 'milestone' achievement, especially as he comes from a racing family. The 17-year-old is now looking forward to the latest chapter in his racing journey, hoping it can eventually lead to a seat in the pinnacle of motorsport — Formula 1. 'Joining Alpine is a big milestone in my career and a reflection of all the hard work that I have put in,' he said. 'I'm really proud to be part of the Alpine family, and they will help develop me during my junior single-seater career. Hopefully, this move will be another step toward reaching my career goal of reaching F1 one day, as that is my dream. It's going to be a tough few years, but I am ready to show everyone what I have now.' Al-Azhari has made an impressive start to his motorsport career. Last year, he secured four wins, nine podiums and five pole positions, finishing runner-up in the Formula 4 Spanish Championship, while in the Formula 4 UAE Championship in the same year, he earned two wins, five podiums and four pole positions to secure third place overall. Before getting behind the wheel, he came through the ranks in karting at Dubai Kartdrome, where he was part of its DAKA program, and raced in some prominent competitions, including the IAME Series UAE. His fond memories of the venue came at a very early age, having followed his father, Karim, in his motorsport journey. Al-Azhari also spoke of his gratitude to Dubai Autodrome for supporting his career. He said: 'The Dubai Autodrome and Kartdrome have been a big part of my life. My first memories of going to the track were at a very young age, when I was 3 years old, when my dad, Karim Al-Azhari, was racing in local competitions. After finishing my karting career, it was the place where I learned how to drive a racing car and got my racing license. 'I have taken to the track and driven in so many different layouts of the track, which helped me develop before I went into the Formula 4 European Series races. I'm really grateful for their support, as they have played a big role in my journey today.' Al-Azhari is among a number of young drivers who have transitioned from karting to motorsport with the help of Dubai Kartdrome. The list includes UAE's Rashid Al-Dhaheri, former Dubai Kartdrome O Plate champion, who recently joined Mercedes' Junior Driver Program; Zack Scoular, competing in British GB3; Jamie Day, an ex-karting champion and part of the Aston Martin drivers' junior team in European Endurance GT3; Edward Jones, who finished third in Indy 500; and Federico Rifai, a multiple-karting champion and former Saudi F4 winner. Having seen Al-Azhari come through the ranks, Dubai Autodrome general manager Faisal Al-Sahlawi said the 17-year-old's rapid progress is a testament to the Dubai Autodrome's efforts to produce future motorsport stars. He added: 'We are extremely pleased to see how far Keanu Al-Azhari has come so early in his career, and we are delighted Dubai Autodrome has played a key role in helping make him the driver he is today. 'Ever since he started coming to Dubai Autodrome, he always had a passion for motorsport and the hunger to succeed in every race, and it is wonderful to see that he still has that commitment. With plenty of years ahead of him, he possesses all the correct attributes to be an even better driver and become a future world motorsport champion. 'We hope many young drivers across the UAE can follow in his footsteps and begin their motorsport journey with Dubai Autodrome.'
