Oakes resigned as Alpine team boss after his brother's arrest

Last Monday, the Formula 1 world was surprised by the news that Oakes had resigned as Alpine team principal. Sources reported at the time that Oakes and executive advisor - now acting team principal - Flavio Briatore were not on the same page and that the Briton therefore decided to step down. A day later, Alpine reported via Instagram that a private matter was the basis for Oakes' decision to leave.

This Thursday, however, the British newspaper The Telegraph reported that the British team principal resigned after the arrest of his brother, William Oakes, who was caught with a considerable amount of money and was arrested under the suspicion of 'transferring criminal money'.

GPblog can now confirm that Oliver Oakes left Alpine due to his close ties - both family and business - with William. William Oakes is co-director of Hitech Grand Prix, Oliver's racing team. It competes in Formula 2 and Formula 3, among other things.

Oakes was arrested at his home in Silverstone. A police spokesman said: "William Oakes, 31, from Rugby, has been charged with transferring criminal money on Friday 2 May after being stopped in Silverstone Park. He had a significant amount of cash on him and is now in custody."

When asked, Alpine said that no further comments would be provided, as Oliver Oakes is no longer employed by the racing team.