The Alpine team has announced the sudden departure of Oliver Oakes from his position as team principal, occurring just six races into the Formula 1 season.
Executive advisor Flavio Briatore will immediately take over Oakes` duties.
The 37-year-old Oakes took charge of the team only in July last year, a month after Briatore returned to Formula 1 as an advisor following a long break.
Briatore had previously led this team when it was known as Renault, guiding it to championship titles in 2005 and 2006.
Tuesday`s announcement was made amidst growing rumours regarding the potential replacement of Jack Doohan by Franco Colapinto, a situation that has been discussed within the team since the start of the year.
Oakes was repeatedly questioned about the Colapinto situation, both during pre-season testing and at the recent Miami Grand Prix.
The timing of his departure raises obvious questions about whether this decision is related to the aforementioned situation.
An official team statement read: “The team thanks Oliver for his work since joining last summer and for his contribution in securing sixth place in the 2024 Constructors` Championship”.
“The team will not provide further comment”.
Oakes became the second-youngest team principal in Formula 1, taking his role at age 36 last year; only Christian Horner, who started at Red Bull aged 31 in 2005, was younger.
Under Oakes` leadership, the Alpine team achieved a double podium finish at last year`s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Rupert Caldwell 
Tristan Blackwood