Formula 1 never ceases to amaze us, and in 2025, the paddock is ablaze with a new chapter of intrigue, power, and speed. The Alpine team, in the eye of the storm, has been the scene of an internal earthquake involving accusations, resignations, and a young Argentine driver who promises to roar like a lion at Imola. What’s going on at the French team? Fasten your seatbelts, because this story has everything: from alleged crimes to a battle for control of the team.

It all began with the unexpected resignation of Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes just after the Miami Grand Prix. What appeared to be a departure motivated by internal disagreements with Flavio Briatore, the charismatic and controversial executive advisor, took an unexpected turn. According to reports in The Telegraph , Oakes’ resignation coincides with the arrest of his brother, William Oakes, in Dubai, where he was arrested with a “large amount of cash.” This incident raised suspicions about possible shady dealings, and Oakes, according to rumors, has flown to Dubai to deal with the situation, leaving behind his position at Alpine.

But the plot doesn’t end there. Behind Oakes, there is the shadow of Dmitry Mazepin, a Russian oligarch linked to the Hitech Grand Prix team, which Oakes took control of in 2022 following British sanctions against Mazepin for his closeness to Vladimir Putin. Some speculate that Oakes was planning, with Russian financial support, to take full control of Alpine. However, the arrival of Flavio Briatore, a veteran Formula 1 veteran, appears to have thwarted those plans.

Flavio Briatore, at 75 years old, has once again demonstrated why he is one of the most influential figures in the Grand Prix. Since joining as an executive advisor in 2024, Briatore has not only revitalized Alpine, taking it from ninth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, but has also ruthlessly imposed his vision. His big bet: Franco Colapinto, the young Argentine driver who has created a buzz in Latin America.

Briatore, known for discovering talents like Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso, saw in Colapinto not only a fast driver, but a commercial phenomenon. With a five-year contract and a $20 million investment to lure him away from Williams, Briatore secured the Argentine’s future at Alpine. And after the disappointing performance of Jack Doohan, who failed to score points in the first six races of 2025 and was involved in costly accidents, Briatore didn’t hesitate to replace him with Colapinto, who will make his debut as a starter at the Imola Grand Prix.

Franco Colapinto, barely 21 years old, arrives at Imola with the backing of Briatore and the fervor of millions of fans, especially in Argentina. His work in the simulator, his outstanding single-seater tests in previous years, and his ability to outperform the other reserve driver, Paul Aron, made him the logical choice. But it’s not just talent: Colapinto brings with him the support of sponsors like Mercado Libre, which could play an even bigger role after Doohan’s “blackout” in Miami.

The Argentine already proved his worth in 2024 with Williams, where he scored points in Azerbaijan and the United States. Now, with a competitive Alpine team and Briatore’s backing, Colapinto has the opportunity to cement himself as a Formula 1 star. Fans from Uruguay to Estonia are eager to see him in action.

The 2025 Formula 1 season is proving to be an unforgettable spectacle. Between scandals, driver changes, and unpredictable races, each Grand Prix is ​​an emotional roller coaster. Alpine, with Briatore at the helm and Colapinto on the track, promises to be one of the main protagonists. And while speculation about Oakes and his alleged escape to Dubai continues to fuel headlines, the spotlight is on Imola, where a young Argentinian will seek to make his name in history.

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