Oliver Oakes, director of Alpine F1, recognized in the Podcast Beyond the Grid that he was very disappointed when his Hitech team received a refusal from the FIA when she applied to become the 11th team in Formula 1 by 2026.
“It's quite horrible, because I had 80 people who have worked for me for two years, they did a phenomenal job” said Oakes. “It was an ambition that I had because I really wanted to have my own team and join Formula 1 because I felt that we had the resources to do it.”
“What was different with Hitech was that it was my team for many years. We had no great benefactor, so we balance the accounts and we developed, and it was a great group.”
“When I had to tell them that the FIA had not chosen us, it was a very difficult day, in part because many people had joined the project, left other teams to participate and believed it.”
“I do not know if someone had to do it, it was another check box that I would never want to do again, having to face the workforce and say that, and also do what It is necessary for them, by trying to find them other jobs within the F1, by supporting them for six months to ensure that no one has been injured. “
“It was an important commitment, but I am also proud of it, because they really built something great. It was not planned. But it was also a good experience.”
-“Because by taking this work, although I spoke of being prepared for this, having been a pilot, having been in the junior categories in Hitech, but I probably did not speak publicly, let's say, of this start -up F1 for a sort of two years, which was also a very good education. “
Asked about the possibility of seeing Hitech coming in Formula 1, when it seems just as possible that its structure ends up taking control of Alpine, Oakes remains cautious and assures that it is only focused on its current position.
“I think you should never say ever, because in the end, who knows what will happen in the years to come. But I think that for the moment, obviously, I direct Alpine, I am fully Engaged in what we do here – and this is not a short -term project. “
