F1 News | Alpine’s leadership shake-up: Flavio Briatore in charge, Steve Nielsen managing operations. Alpine is navigating turbulent waters after Oliver Oakes’ departure.

Alpine in turmoil: Briatore leads, Nielsen manages operations

Since Oliver Oakes left his role as team principal at Alpine last May, the French squad seems to be navigating turbulent waters. At the top, two highly experienced figures have taken charge: Flavio Briatore, appointed as executive consultant and the team’s key decision-maker, and Steve Nielsen, who became CEO in September. However, the management structure still appears somewhat unclear. Flavio Briatore continues to act as strategist and final decision-maker, while Steve Nielsen handles day-to-day operations at Enstone, the team’s technical base. “Flavio is the leader,” Steve Nielsen stated, clarifying that his role is to oversee internal operations and ensure continuity of the project, without challenging the authority of the Italian manager.

Nielsen returns to his roots

For 61-year-old Steve Nielsen, this is not a debut with the team: the British engineer previously worked for the squad during the Benetton era, directly under Briatore’s guidance. After years collaborating with the FIA and Liberty Media, his return to Enstone feels like a “homecoming.” Steve Nielsen expressed enthusiasm at reconnecting with former colleagues and tackling the new challenges posed by the 2021-introduced budget cap. His main objective is to bring Alpine back to the competitive levels that the team’s resources and structure should allow. “Enstone is a great environment, full of talent. We just need to let it shine on track,” he commented.

Briatore and the Alpine revival challenge

Despite Flavio Briatore’s experience and charisma, the team’s situation remains complex. The former Benetton and Renault manager inherited a struggling project with inconsistent results and questionable driver decisions. According to analyst Ralf Schumacher, Briatore’s methods “might be outdated,” and the hope is that Nielsen can provide long-term stability and vision. After years of uncertainty, Alpine is now aiming for a reorganization that can restore both competitiveness and credibility in the Formula 1 World Championship. If well-balanced, the Briatore-Nielsen duo could represent the first step toward a new winning cycle.