Oliver Oakes’ resignation from Alpine linked to his brother’s arrest and possible involvement
A few days after William Oakes was charged with transferring criminal assets, his brother Oliver Oakes stepped down as director of Alpine F1. A succession of events that sheds a disturbing light on the links between motorsport and legal cases.
On May 1, 2025, William Oakes, director of the Hitech Grand Prix team, was arrested by British police at Silverstone Park. The 31-year-old man was charged on May 2, 2025, for the transfer of criminal property, according to reports from The Times. Law enforcement discovered a significant amount of cash in his possession, with its origin not clearly defined.
The arrest of William Oakes led to the seizure of Hitech GP’s single-seaters, which had been transported from the Jeddah Grand Prix. These seizures have significantly fueled speculation, although the authorities have not confirmed a direct link between this confiscation and the charges. Oakes has been placed in provisional detention pending further investigations, which could extend over several years, particularly due to the unresolved issues surrounding the team’s acquisition by Oakes in 2022.
The departure of Oliver Oakes from Alpine: troubling timing
Shortly after the arrest of his brother, Oliver Oakes, aged 36, announced his resignation from his position as director of the Alpine F1 team. Appointed in July 2024 with the aim of reviving the struggling French team, he held this role for only a few months. According to Alpine, Oliver Oakes’ resignation was motivated by personal reasons, unrelated to his brother’s arrest.
However, the proximity of the two events has raised many questions. The timing suggests that Oliver Oakes’ departure may have indirect links to William’s legal case. According to internal sources, he is said to have left the United States after the Miami Grand Prix and settled in Dubai, although his exact place of residence remains unclear to this day.
Financial Connections to Clarify
The arrest of William Oakes and the seizure of Hitech GP’s assets raise questions about the team’s financial background. In 2022, the team was acquired by Oakes, but the source of his funding remains ambiguous. Before this sale, Hitech GP was largely financed by Dmitry Mazepin, a Russian billionaire. However, Mazepin was forced to withdraw after the imposition of international sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. British authorities may now investigate the financial flows surrounding this transaction, particularly in light of recent events.
The impact on Alpine and Hitech GP
The current situation could have major repercussions on the future of both teams. Alpine F1, already plagued by frequent leadership changes in recent years, sees its future even more uncertain with the departure of its director. Following the successive departures of Laurent Rossi, Otmar Szafnauer, and Alan Permane, the team finds itself without stable leadership, which could affect its performance on the F1 grid.
On its side, Hitech GP could face serious consequences. Without its director and with vehicles seized, the team could be suspended from all participation in the Formula 2 and 3 championships, and its future seems very uncertain.
