Alpine F1 boss Oliver Oakes' resignation came just days after brother was arrested for ‘transferring criminal property’

The Formula One world was thrown a curveball this week as Oliver Oakes announced his resignation as team principal of Alpine—less than a year into the role. The timing of his sudden departure has ignited speculation, especially as it followed the arrest and subsequent charging of his brother, William Oakes, on serious financial crime allegations.William Oakes, 31, was charged last Friday by London’s Metropolitan Police with “transferring criminal property” after being caught with a “large amount of cash” near Silverstone Park—a site synonymous with British motorsport and home to Hitech Grand Prix, where both Oakes brothers serve as directors.William was remanded in custody following a court appearance in Northampton the next day.While Oliver Oakes has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his swift exit from Alpine, coming just days after his brother's legal troubles surfaced, has led to whispers of behind-the-scenes pressure. A source familiar with the situation disclosed that his resignation was “concerned with the personal situation involving his family,” suggesting that the legal cloud hanging over his brother may have influenced his decision to step away.Hitech Grand Prix, the single-seater team both brothers have shaped since 2015, has remained tight-lipped about the situation. Likewise, Alpine declined to comment on Oakes’ exit when contacted by media outlets. As of now, both brothers are still listed as active directors on Hitech’s Companies House profile, with Oliver having majority control since mid-2023—just before he transitioned into his Alpine role.Interestingly, the leadership shuffle at Alpine didn’t stop with Oakes. Within 24 hours of his resignation, the team announced that test driver Franco Colapinto would replace Jack Doohan for at least the next five Grands Prix, starting with the Imola weekend on May 16–18. This sparked further speculation of internal disagreements, particularly with Flavio Briatore, Alpine's executive advisor. However, Briatore clarified via Instagram, “the reasons are not related to the team and are of a personal nature.”Adding to the intrigue is Alpine's current standing in the constructors’ championship—they sit ninth after six rounds, far from where they had hoped to be in 2024. A team already struggling for form is now tasked with navigating a leadership vacuum mid-season.Hitech, meanwhile, has had its own share of headline-making developments. Founded by Oliver Oakes and once majority-owned by Russian oligarch Dmitry Mazepin—who has strong links to Vladimir Putin—the team saw its ownership shift in 2022 to Hitech Global Holdings Ltd, controlled by Oakes. Following that, Kazakhstan’s billionaire Vladimir Kim bought a 25% stake in the operation. Despite an ambitious bid to join the F1 grid in 2026, Hitech’s proposal was ultimately unsuccessful.As Oliver Oakes exits Alpine amid a family scandal and a struggling season, the F1 community will be watching closely to see how both Alpine and Hitech recalibrate their strategies. The sport thrives on high-stakes drama—but this latest twist is one that no paddock strategist could have forecast.Also Read: Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari’s F1 struggles are deeper than expected: “Something is holding them back”