Renault CEO Luca de Meo has suggested he intends to appoint a long-term team principal for Alpine's Formula 1 outfit following the sudden departure of Oliver Oakes.
The Enstone-based team stunned the F1 paddock last week when Oakes resigned as team principal less than a year into his tenure. His exit marks the latest in a series of leadership changes, with Cyril Abiteboul, Laurent Rossi, Otmar Szafnauer, and Bruno Famin also having left the role over the past four years.
Flavio Briatore, appointed as executive advisor by de Meo in mid-2024, has stepped in as interim team boss. However, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has dismissed the 75-year-old Italian as "too old" for a permanent return to the position.
Speaking on the grid at the MotoGP race in Le Mans on Sunday, de Meo signalled that Alpine's next team principal would be a lasting appointment. "We're trying to find some stability in this team," he told Canal-Plus.
He reaffirmed the team's commitment to success, stating: "One thing there's no doubt about is that we're going to keep investing until we find the alchemy to perform well."
De Meo then highlighted Alpine's broader motorsport ambitions, noting: "Alpine is involved in many disciplines, including (sports car) endurance. On Saturday, we had some good results (the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps) which gives us a lot of hope for Le Mans."
Reflecting on the team's challenges, he added: "There are things that work and there are things that don't. What you have to be is stubborn and keep working."
