P1racenews AI automatic summary:
There’s another new Alpine F1 team principal – with Oliver Oakes replacing Bruno Famin. Here’s everything you need to know about the karting champion and sometime Red Bull junior who went on to spearhead the Hitech GP junior formulae outfit
An American karting world champion and Red Bull junior will now lead Alpine’s Formula 1 team as Oliver Oakes steps in for Bruno Famin in the most recent management switch at the struggling French manufacturer. This marks Oakes’ debut in a successful F1 leadership role, following a year from his Hitech GP junior team’s unsuccessful attempt to enter the F1 grid. Previously a promising racing driver, Oakes, now 36, clinched the karting world title in 2005 alongside notable names like Jules Bianchi and Valtteri Bottas. Despite some success in Formula BMW UK, Oakes faced challenges transitioning to higher tiers like Formula Renault, leading to his shift towards team management with the establishment of Hitech GP in 2015. Oakes’ managerial venture has seen triumphs in Formula 2 and Formula 4, along with his significant association with the Mazepin family through sponsorship and mentorship in the motorsport realm, notably with Nikita Mazepin’s career development.
