Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes has ruled out Renault Group CEO Luca De Meo wanting to sell off his Formula 1 asset, despite mounting speculation.
Oakes, 36, was appointed as Bruno Famin’s successor at the helm of the Alpine F1 squad ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
Since his appointment, Alpine has carried out its plans to shut down its F1 power unit operations in Viry-Châtillon for 2026 in favour of a Mercedes customer deal.
Moreover, with Oakes subject to a failed F1 team bid with his Hitech operation, there’s speculation Alpine could be sold.
However, F1’s youngest team boss ruled this out after Alpine’s sensational double podium in the Sao Paulo GP.
“In the end, [De Meo] put a lot of trust into me,” Oakes said.
“I keep saying it, and I get a lot of stick for being a young team boss, but he obviously gave me the chance. And obviously for him as well, he’s really supported the team through thick and thin.
“I know everybody likes to write that he wants to sell the team, which isn’t true. He’s always been very firm that he’s in F1 for the long term.
“You can see really how passionate he is about this project. I’m grateful to have him.”
Oakes praises all facets of Alpine F1 team
There has been a lot of change at Alpine in 2024 as it seeks to turn the tide away from a dismal run.
Were it not for its double podium at Interlagos, Alpine would still be stuck in ninth place in the F1 Constructors’ standings.
To help streamline the operation and turn its fortunes around, Flavio Briatore was brought back into the fold in June as an advisor.
Briatore has already cut staffing levels at Alpine in a big way, but Oakes spoke of the Italian’s passion for the team.
“It is a great team, and you can see how much it means to [Briatore] to be here on the track,” Oakes said.
“Even when he’s not here, he’s on the phone to me, texting me. I’m really happy for him, actually. You can see how much it means to him.”
Moreover, Oakes referred to the Alpine squad, comprised of its Enstone and Viry (for bow) bases as “special” after Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly rounded out the podium behind Sao Paulo GP victor Max Verstappen.
“There’s something special about Enstone, isn’t there? And Viry,” he said.
“You can see it today. It means a lot to all of them. And it is everyone’s the… It’s all the same people.
“I think sometimes racing is like that as well. They just need to work together. A little bit of wind in the sails, a bit of stability. That’s what’s special.”
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