Oscar Piastri backs Jack Doohan as Alpine F1 boss quits ahead of Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Topic:Formula 11h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 9:06pmAustralian Jack Doohan's time at Alpine may be coming to an end. (Getty Images/Formula One: Bryn Lennon)In short:Oliver Oakes has stepped down as principal of Renault-owned Alpine with immediate effect.Former boss Flavio Briatore will take on Oakes's role.What's next?The move comes as speculation grows Australia's Jack Doohan will be replaced by Franco Colapinto for next week's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.abc.net.au/news/f1-alpine-oliver-oakes-flavio-briatore-jack-doohan/105262044Link copiedShareShare articleFormula 1 drivers' championship leader Oscar Piastri has offered encouragement to fellow Australian Jack Doohan, who is expected to be replaced at Alpine ahead of the season's next grand prix.Speculation is mounting Alpine will drop Doohan for Argentina's Franco Colapinto before next week's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.Adding to the doubt over Doohan's future with Renault-owned Alpine is the decision of its team principal Oliver Oakes to step down from his role with immediate effect.Piastri said he understood the challenges Doohan was facing in the early stages of his F1 career.F1 Miami Grand Prix: Oscar Piastri beats Lando Norris to extend championship leadPhoto shows Oscar Piastri brandishes Miami GP trophy in orange racing kitAustralian Oscar Piastri produces another brilliant drive to claim the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, his fourth win of the season."Coming to F1, especially as a rookie under pressure … I do feel sorry for him in some ways," Piastri told ABC News Breakfast."It's not been the easiest start to the year for him and I know how hard it is to get to F1 in the first place."So I think whatever happens, he can be very proud of the journey so far."Oakes will be replaced in his role by Flavio Briatore."BWT Alpine Formula One Team announces that Oliver Oakes has resigned from his role as Team Principal," Alpine said in a statement."The team has accepted his resignation with immediate effect."As of today, Flavio Briatore will continue as executive advisor and will also be covering the duties previously performed by Oliver Oakes."The team would like to thank Oliver for his efforts since he joined last summer and for his contribution in helping the team secure sixth place in the 2024 Constructors' Championship."Oliver Oakes has quit his role with Alpine. (Getty Images: Kym Illman)Alpine is ninth in the 10-team standings after six races with 22-year-old rookie Doohan yet to score a point.Oakes was appointed principal in July 2024.He was the team's fifth boss in four turbulent and largely underwhelming seasons.Briatore, 75, was the team boss when they raced as Benetton and Renault and won championships with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995, and Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.He was also instrumental in signing Colapinto from Williams as reserve last January."Clearly, Franco is among the best young talents in motorsport right now," Briatore said at the time.ABC/ReutersPosted 1h ago1 hours agoTue 6 May 2025 at 9:06pm, updated 15m ago15 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 10:14pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Sport'A wild ride': Aussie sprint ace Ewan stuns cycling world with retirementTopic:Road Cycle RacingPhoto shows Caleb Ewan on the podium after a race stage in Italy in 2025.Preston's lawyer hits out as Bulldogs NRL star receives four-match banTopic:NRLPhoto shows Referee Todd Smith sends Jacob Preston to the sin-bin.Evidence yet to back up claimed benefits of cold water therapyTopic:HealthPhoto shows An aerial shot of someone swimming in a river, with ice banks on either side of them.That the federal Liberals considered ditching support for the stadium says a few thingsAAnalysis by Adam LangenbergPhoto shows Jeremy Rockliff clutching an AFL football.AFLW commentator says season opener honours history but calls for bigger stadiumTopic:AFL Women’sPhoto shows GettyImages-1736580251 (1)Top StoriesThree dead after India strikes nine Pakistan sites, officials sayLIVEIndia claims targets in Pakistan were 'terrorist infrastructure'BREAKINGPhoto shows pakistan KasmireCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimePhoto shows External images of Reiby Youth Detention Centre.Who won the election culture wars? Not Dutton or PalmerAAnalysis by Annabel CrabbPhoto shows Clive Palmer NPC'Takes two to tango': Takeaways from the Trump-Carney White House chatTopic:World PoliticsPhoto shows Mark Carney and Donald Trump speak in the Oval Office.Related storiesFlawless Piastri beats teammate Norris to win Miami Grand PrixTopic:Formula 1Photo shows Oscar Piastri celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the Miami Grand PrixPiastri a winner again, but 'poorly executed' Griddy proves he is humanTopic:Formula 1Photo shows Oscar Piastri attempts the Griddy in front of his team members and crowd after a raceRelated topicsFormula 1Motor SportsSportUnited KingdomTop StoriesThree dead after India strikes nine Pakistan sites, officials sayTopic:Unrest, Conflict and WarBreaking: India claims targets in Pakistan were 'terrorist infrastructure'Topic:Unrest, Conflict and WarCourt orders release of 'vicious' CCTV footage after three-year legal battleTopic:CrimeWho won the election culture wars? Not Dutton or PalmerAAnalysis by Annabel Crabb'Takes two to tango': Takeaways from the Trump-Carney White House chatTopic:World PoliticsJust InASX to open lower, Wall St falls on lack of progress with Trump trade dealsLIVE25m ago25 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 10:04pm'A wild ride': Aussie sprint ace Ewan stuns cycling world with retirementTopic:Road Cycle Racing25m ago25 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 10:04pmChina congratulated Albanese on election night. That tells us a lotBAnalysis by Bang Xiao42m ago42 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 9:46pmAt 82, author Isabel Allende thinks about death a lot. But also loveTopic:Books34m ago34 minutes agoTue 6 May 2025 at 9:55pmMore Just InBack to top