Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has declared that Flavio Briatore, at 75, is "too old" to resume a full-time role as Alpine's team principal following the sudden resignation of Oliver Oakes.
The latest shake-up at Alpine, which includes the replacement of Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto for at least five races, has fueled speculation of a rift between Oakes and Briatore over the mid-season driver swap.
Addressing these rumours, Briatore issued a statement denying any discord, saying, "A lot has been said in the past 24 hours incorrectly associating the decision of Oli resigning to an alleged disagreement," adding that it is "completely false."
Oakes echoed this, describing his departure as a "personal decision."
Schumacher, speaking to Sky Deutschland, expressed no strong objection to Doohan's demotion, noting, "He's certainly a really nice guy," but "just not good enough for Formula 1."
On Colapinto, he added, "Briatore believes in him—and he also brings a lot of money with him."
However, Schumacher firmly opposed the idea of Briatore, who has pledged to become "more and more involved" at Alpine in Oakes' absence, taking on the full-time team principal role.
"In his (advisory) role and with his experience, he did a great job," the German said. "But he's too old to be actively involved in the company every day as team principal."
Briatore, the former Benetton and Renault boss who underwent heart surgery last year, is seen as ill-suited for the demanding role by Schumacher.
Schumacher also suggested Briatore's dominant approach contributed to Oakes' exit. "Flavio will always do his own thing," he said. "That's also the reason why Oliver Oakes pulled the plug. Flavio also had no problem with Oakes leaving.
"From what I've heard, Flavio does everything himself, but I certainly hope not."
