F1 fans now want Alpine to announce ‘Herculean’ driver after Oliver Oakes arrival

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Alpine have officially confirmed the appointment of Oliver Oakes as their new team principal. He replaces Bruno Famin, who will instead work on other projects at Viry.

Famin announced during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend that he would be leaving his post. Oakes, who heads up the Hitech GP team, was always the favourite to replace him.

Hitech compete in an array of junior series, most notably Formula 2 and Formula 3. They’re currently fourth in the F2 standings on 153 points, with their star driver Paul Aron competing for the title.

Oakes was formerly a racing driver himself, winning a world karting championship and earning a place in the Red Bull driver programme. It’s been nearly a decade now since he founded Hitech.

The Briton walks into a somewhat daunting situation. Reports claim that Alpine engine staff are considering a strike as the team negotiate an external supply deal.

Meanwhile, they’re still yet to confirm their 2025 driver line-up following the departure of Esteban Ocon. Pierre Gasly has signed a new contract but he’s awaiting clarity on the identity of his teammate.

F1 fans demand Jack Doohan signing as Oliver Oakes joins Alpine

Alpine unveiled Oakes on X on Wednesday morning, and many fans were quick to express their views on the team’s driver search. There were plenty of calls to promote reserve driver Jack Doohan.

@TamsynRiddle_, @forzakate and @BreeCL16 were among those to request that the team announce Dooahn next. The 21-year-old has already taken part in two FP1 sessions this year.

@Gaslyxdoohan says they ‘need’ to see the partnership they reference in their username, and @m4e21 expressed their disappointment that the team haven’t hired the Australian already. Midfield rivals Williams finalised their line-up on Monday when they snapped up Carlos Sainz.

Like Oakes, Doohan was part of the Red Bull programme, but he left at the end of 2021 to join Alpine. He didn’t race for Hitech in F2, instead representing MP Motorsport and Virtuosi, but his new boss would still have been able to take a close look at him.

It’s unclear how much influence Oakes will wield in the process. Renault CEO Luca de Meo recently hired Flavio Briatore in an advisory capacity, and it may be that he holds greater sway.

Alpine’s ‘Herculean’ praise for 2025 contender Doohan

Over the weekend, one journalist suggested that Aron will now be a contender for Alpine following the appointment of Oakes. But many at Enstone may be lobbying for Doohan after the work he’s carried out this season.

The youngster has impressed with his commitment to his reserve driver duties. In an official statement, Alpine publicly praised his ‘Herculean’ effort in the simulator before the Monaco Grand Prix, where Gasly finished 10th.

For a time, Alpine were the favourites to sign Sainz, but the instability at the team may have cost them. With few appealing options left on the market, they may have to look in-house.

Having driven for the team in the World Endurance Championship this year, Mick Schumacher has also been linked. However, Doohan may naturally be ahead of him in the pecking order as the immediate back-up to Gasly and Ocon.