How consistent is the Renault Group in Formula 1? Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes thinks his team is finally on track after many upheavals.
First there was a five-year plan. Later, the goals were to be achieved within 100 races. But none of the projects led to the desired success: the French carmaker Renault has been lagging behind its own aspirations in Formula One for years. This raises the question of whether Renault takes Formula One seriously enough.
Otmar Szafnauer, former team principal of the Renault subsidiary Alpine, has a clear opinion on this. His theory: Renault management has interfered too much in Formula One day-to-day business and would have been better off leaving the management of the racing team to “the experts”.
Oliver Oakes sees it differently. In an interview with Motorsport.com, the current Alpine team principal admits that “certain aspects are true”, but also says: “There isn’t always a one-size-fits-all solution. And people should also consider who pays the bills.” He considers it “very fortunate” to have a manufacturer like Renault as a partner.
Furthermore, there may have been good reasons for the behavior of Renault’s management in the past, says Oakes: “Sometimes you have to ask yourself: Why do they have to interfere at all? Is it because we can’t handle things? Is it because we’ve really lost our focus?” All of this can be “frustrating” for a Formula One team.
In his view, it is crucial that there is mutual trust between the manufacturer and the racing team. After all, Formula 1 is a “complex business, just like the automotive industry,” says Oakes. “You can’t always get everything right.”
In addition, some things are now going “a little differently” at Renault/Alpine than before. Oakes suggests that he now has “perhaps more direct contact” with CEO Luca de Meo. Alpine consultant Flavio Briatore is also heavily involved – and only joined the Formula One project after it had reached its “low point” (Oakes).
Team boss: Alpine must put the past behind them
Now Oakes sees himself in a good starting position: “The bottom line is that nothing is stopping us from building a good race car.”
Oakes was asked whether this had increased the pressure on him. His answer: “Everyone asks that, but I really see it differently.” For example, there is “no master plan” on Renault’s part, and that is what distinguishes the current situation from the past. “We just have to get better,” says Oakes, adding: “We have to be a well-managed team.”
Part of that is to put the recent past behind them, emphasizes Oakes. Alpine must not be distracted by all the “noise about the drive unit” and various speculations “about a sale and all that nonsense.” “We’re just going to focus on our work.”