Alpine F1 is a technical and sporting entity that has not lived up to its promises. After years of triumphs culminating in the Sebastian Vettel era at Red Bull, Renault has faced enormous challenges with the turbo-hybrid power units introduced by the Formula 1 regulator in 2014. After the first few seasons in which Mercedes dominated the field, the leadership at Renault had set a five-year plan to reduce and eventually eliminate the technical deficit, which, however, has remained largely unchanged.
This inability to latch onto the winning train in Formula 1 led to decisions that were often convoluted and certainly driven by moods: budget cuts, layoffs, management reshuffles, new partners joining, and the departure of historical figures. The list of names and figures is so extensive that it would be difficult to enumerate them all in this context.
The final act of this perpetual revolution was the shutdown of the Viry-Châtillon engine department and the decision to become a customer of Mercedes after Aston Martin had already switched to Honda engines. This paradigm shift effectively downgraded the French group from a full constructor to an assembler. A less ambitious program, but one that, as McLaren has demonstrated, can still deliver success and satisfaction.
Alpine F1: the rise and potential exit of Otro Capital
Among the many shocks that have characterized the last five years of Alpine F1 was the entry of the investment fund Otro Capital, backed by Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird (Cardinale is well known in football as the owner of AC Milan), actor Ryan Reynolds, and athletes including Patrick Mahomes (quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs), Rory McIlroy (professional golfer), and Trent Alexander-Arnold (professional footballer). The consortium acquired 24% of the team’s shares, injecting around 200 million euros into the team’s capital.
After seasons that were not particularly successful on track and did not generate significant reputational returns, Otro Capital reportedly is no longer enthusiastic about the F1 project, even though no official decision has been made regarding a potential sale of its stake in the Enstone-based team. For the consortium, however, the situation is win-win: a potential sale, even partial, would generate capital gains, as the current value of the team exceeds one billion euros, whereas at the time of entry it was around 90 million euros.
Alpine F1: new investors on the horizon
Due to the high valuation mentioned above, the French team is attracting interest from various groups and individuals. One prominent name is Christian Horner, who, after leaving Red Bull, reportedly wants to return to the grid. He could do so with a group of investors interested in acquiring the 24% stake currently held by the American consortium Otro Capital. This would not be a symbolic entry, but a substantial investment, accompanied by a leading management role. In recent days, official denials have been issued, but these may simply be strategic gestures to conceal a delicate operation involving significant sums.
Horner’s group is not the only one pressing. According to our sources, three other groups have submitted inquiries to the top management of the French team. Two of them remain anonymous, while the third has a clear and well-known reference: Oliver Oakes. Our source explains that he leads a consortium that would bring him back to Alpine, where he served as team principal for just over a year before resigning. This move, in light of what we have learned, could have been preparatory for a “side-door” entry. At 37 years old and from Norwich, Oakes is experienced in forming and managing motorsport groups.
Who is Oliver Oakes
Oliver Oakes’ motorsport career began very early and initially developed on track before fully evolving into team management. He entered racing almost as a child, starting karting at the age of four. In this field, he quickly built a strong reputation, winning the British Open twice and securing the Karting World Championship in 2005 at just 17 years old. These achievements opened the door to the Red Bull Junior Team, one of the most selective talent programs internationally.
His transition to single-seaters occurred in 2006 with his debut in Formula BMW UK, a phase that proved more challenging. Oakes competed in various European categories, including the Formula 3 Euro Series and British F3, without achieving standout results. The lack of notable outcomes led to the loss of Red Bull support, and after a difficult 2010 GP3 season with the ATECH CRS team, he decided to abandon his driving career.
It was off-track that Oakes built the most influential part of his professional path. Following a stint at Tony Kart, he founded Oakes Racing, a structure that quickly established itself in international karting, participating in major championships and serving as a launch platform for young talents. Several drivers who progressed to higher categories emerged from his team, demonstrating his ability to identify and nurture promising prospects.
The leap in scale came in 2015 with the relaunch of Hitech Grand Prix, where Oakes became Team Principal. Under his leadership, the team expanded into key feeder series, steadily strengthening its presence. After the departure of Russian partners in 2022 due to the Ukraine conflict, Oakes assumed full control, consolidating the team’s identity and results, particularly in series connected to the Formula 1 ecosystem. During this period, Hitech achieved notable titles in Asian Formula 3, both in the constructors’ and drivers’ standings.
This managerial trajectory ultimately led Oakes back to Formula 1. In August 2024, Alpine appointed him as Team Principal, replacing Bruno Famin. Oakes led the French team until May 2025, closing a chapter representing the highest hierarchical point of his career in motorsport, following a long journey from karting prodigy to prominent international motorsport executive.
A new dimension for Alpine
Alpine is still seeking a stable position within the Formula 1 hierarchy. Today, it is potential hunting ground, as with an eleven-team grid and a highly protective Concorde Agreement, entering with a twelfth team would be very complex. Acquiring an existing stake is simpler. In this case, it would not be total, since the aim is to purchase Otro Capital’s shares. However, this move could serve as a wedge or Trojan horse, with the potential to acquire additional shares Renault might sell if the partnership with Mercedes does not yield the desired results.
Alpine has, for years, operated in a zone of muted mediocrity. Results have been inconsistent, management has changed frequently, and strategies often contradict themselves. The Renault brand has invested heavily but has never managed to build a stable trajectory. Selling the engine department is a politically significant step, allowing a less painful transfer of ownership since only the Enstone facility would be sold.
For the French team, if a clear course correction is not taken in 2026, each season seems to restart from scratch, with new declared objectives and old unresolved problems. In this context, the need for strong leadership is no longer optional but a condition for both sporting and political survival. According to our sources, Oliver Oakes could be the individual to take on the legacy of a team suspended between ambition and harsh reality.
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