Oliver Oakes after 2024 F1 results: “Good reasons to be optimistic for next year”. The Alpine Team Principal believes the team has a solid foundation for 2025.

Close to the midfield
From a season that began on a decidedly uphill trajectory to the positive changes during the year, including updates and major returns like that of Flavio Briatore, the Alpine team managed a comeback that concluded with 6th place in the Constructors’ standings. Alpine’s 2024 season featured a unique story, especially with Oliver Oakes, who was appointed the new Team Principal midway through the championship, replacing Bruno Famin.

Unexpected results
Improvements were particularly noticeable starting from the United States GP. From Austin onward, the A524 made significant strides, especially with Pierre Gasly frequently finishing in the points. The most emblematic weekend of the season was undoubtedly in Interlagos, where Pierre Gasly finished 3rd behind his teammate Ocon—a result that was unimaginable at the start of the championship. Similarly, Gasly’s 3rd place in qualifying at Las Vegas was a standout moment.

Optimism for 2025
The results and the team’s work in the latter part of the season are, according to Oakes, strong signals of optimism for the next championship. The Team Principal expressed satisfaction with the year’s achievements: “I think the major overhaul we implemented in Austin delivered good results,” the Briton told the media. “We introduced a new front wing in Qatar, and I believe all the developments have been very positive. However, like every team, there’s always some nervousness during the winter about the steps ahead and the allocation of resources for 2026, but I think we have a real reason to be optimistic. In the final races, we delivered solid performances. Part of it involves being humble about certain circuits and their characteristics to ensure we have a well-balanced car—I’ve seen this throughout all 24 races under my supervision. It will be a key factor for next year.”

2025 will also mark the final year of Renault engines in Formula 1 before Alpine’s historic separation from the French manufacturer, as the team becomes a Mercedes customer starting in 2026. “We’ve learned a lot this year, and I think that’s important for the team,” Oliver Oakes concluded. “We know we’re not perfect, but I believe we have a solid foundation for next year. The final series of races in the second half of the season, thanks to everyone on the team, leaves us optimistic, but in F1, you can never be too complacent, can you?”