Former Alpine F1 boss Oliver Oakes is believed to be in Dubai after his brother William was arrested in the United Kingdom for criminal activity.
In a twist in the case of Alpine and Oakes, it is being reported that Oliver’s brother Williams has been arrested by the police in United Kingdom for ‘transferring criminal property’. It is being said that the former is stationed in Dubai after departing from Miami.
He resigned from the team principal role on Tuesday evening. Franco Colapinto was announced to replace Jack Doohan in a 5-race deal. Later on the same day, Flavia Briatore released a statement to deny allegations and reports on the departure of Oakes, linked to the driver swap.
Oakes had his own statement concurring with the Italian, while also calling Briatore as a ‘father figure’. On Thursday, The Telegraph reported on Oliver’s brother’s misdoing. He was arrested with large amount of cash in his possession, as some of the Hitech GP cars were believed to be impounded too.
“William Oakes, 31 (30.12.1993) of Rugby was charged with transferring criminal property on Friday, 2 May after he was stopped in the Silverstone Park area in Northamptonshire on Thursday, 1 May 2025 in possession of a large amount of cash,” said a spokesperson of Metropolitan Police to Planet News.
“He appeared before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, 3 May, and remanded in custody.” It is unclear if the activity is linked to Dimity Mazepin, who is close to Oakes family due to their ties with Hitech GP. The Russian sold his stake to the Brits aftermath the Russia-Ukraine war.
Amid all the happenings, Colapinto has been seen testing with Alpine at Zandvoort in a TPC programme. In fact, McLaren is also performing the same with F2 racer Alex Dunne at the same venue. They also have regulars Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris testing alongside Dunne.
Here’s Flavio Briatore on Oliver Oakes
Here’s news on Franco Colapinto getting limited drive
Here’s news on Oliver Oakes
Here’s Jack Doohan on Liam Lawson hit
