Otmar's arrival breathes new life into Alpine F1 ambitions

Oliver Oakes, the new Alpine team principal, believes that the Enstone-based Formula 1 squad was in dire need of someone who could "take a bullet for the team" and fully commit to its management. Oakes, who replaced Bruno Famin in the role, is confident that he brings this quality to the table as Alpine seeks to end a period of managerial instability.

A Fresh Start for Alpine

Oakes joined the team without any preconceived ideas, allowing him to start with a clean slate. His primary goal is to provide clear leadership and vision to those working under him at Alpine. He emphasized the importance of building trust, unity, and stability within the team, stating, "I think you come with your own ethos and approach in terms of how you feel you need to build that trust, that unity, and stability back in the team."

Leveraging Enstone's Rich Heritage

The new team principal recognizes the wealth of knowledge and experience at Enstone, acknowledging its long history in Formula 1. Oakes believes that the team simply needs strong leadership and support to tap into its full potential. He stated, "It's a pretty special place at Enstone, I keep saying it, but there is a lot of knowledge there, it's been in F1 a long, long time."

A Clear Vision and Committed Leadership

Oakes is confident that with his appointment and Flavio Briatore's advisory role, Alpine now has a clear vision and committed leadership. He emphasized his dedication to the team, saying, "I think it's actually got a clear vision now and clear leadership. With me and Flavio there, we're committed." Oakes sees himself as someone who can provide the necessary support and direction while taking responsibility for the team's performance.

Recent Progress and Future Plans

The team has shown improvement in recent races, with point-scoring results at Spa and Zandvoort. Oakes praised the team's efforts, particularly considering their challenging start to the season. He revealed plans to bring more upgrades before the end of the year, while acknowledging the difficulty of balancing development at this stage of the season. Oakes remains focused on continuing the team's recovery and building momentum for the future.