Oliver Oakes, Alpine Team Principal and former karting world champion, shares insights into his transition from racing to leadership. He recounts the thrill of Alpine's first double podium in Brazil while juggling future goals for 2025. Oakes discusses the strategic choice of Mercedes as their power unit supplier and reflects on whether Pierre Gasly is prepared to lead the team next season. His unique blend of experience in karting and team ownership provides a fascinating perspective on the dynamics of competitive motorsport.
Oliver Oakes' diverse background as a champion driver and team owner equips him uniquely for leading Alpine towards enhanced performance.
The recent double podium finish in Brazil has revitalized team morale, underscoring the importance of celebrating achievements in a competitive environment.
Oakes emphasizes balancing short-term results with strategic long-term planning, especially with significant regulatory changes anticipated in 2026.
Deep dives
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Oliver Oakes: The New Alpine Team Principal
Oliver Oakes, the new principal of the Alpine Formula One team, aims to elevate the team’s performance after his predecessors fell short. With a background as a world champion in karting and a successful team owner in junior categories, Oakes brings both experience and ambition to this role. He emphasizes a commitment to not just be another team in the paddock but to make a substantial impact in the Formula One landscape. His leadership is backed by key figures from Renault, indicating a strong direction for Alpine moving forward.
Team Morale and Achievements
Following a significant double podium finish in Brazil, Oakes notes the boost in morale within Alpine. He believes the result serves as a much-needed motivation for the team, which has faced challenges including redundancies and a difficult season start. Oakes insists that celebrating accomplishments is vital, as it reinforces team spirit despite the pressure and competitive nature of the sport. This focus on morale and recognition of hard work is essential for sustaining performance as the season progresses.
Strategic Focus on Future Success
Oakes acknowledges the need for Alpine to balance immediate performance with long-term goals, especially with regulatory changes coming in 2026. While he admits that luck played a role in recent successes, he feels confident in the team’s genuine progression in car performance since implementing upgrades. He emphasizes that the future planning must involve thorough assessments of both the car and operational aspects. This strategic mindset reflects his commitment to ensuring that Alpine remains a competitive team on the grid.
Adapting to Leadership in F1
Transitioning into the role of team principal, Oakes faces both challenges and rewards, emphasizing the responsibilities of leading a large team. He expresses the importance of chemistry within the team and how effective communication can resolve tensions among drivers. His experience as a driver and team owner offers him a unique perspective on team dynamics, enabling him to foster a collaborative environment. This holistic understanding is crucial as he navigates the demands of Formula One management and seeks to drive the team towards future achievements.
This episode is brought to you by T-Mobile, official 5G partner of F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix
Why did Oliver Oakes become Alpine Team Principal? How does his background as a racing driver and team owner prepare him for this new challenge? And what are his priorities in 2025 and beyond?
Speaking to Tom Clarkson at the team’s headquarters in Enstone, Oakes answers all the key questions around Alpine’s future with him at the helm.
Oli discusses his mixed feelings after their double podium in Brazil, why Alpine have chosen Mercedes as their power unit supplier from 2026, whether Pierre Gasly is ready to lead the team next season, and much more.
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