FIA rule stops Flavio Briatore from being F1 team principal as Alpine issue statement

Alpine have issued a statement clarifying their leadership structure with unable to assume the official title of team principal. It was announced that the veteran Italian would lead the team after .

That news came in the wake of the and only 12 hours before the team confirmed . Oakes' departure wasn't over that driver swap, but for personal reasons.

It soon emerged that carrying a "large amount of cash". At , Briatore took full control of the team, though he cannot be registered as the person officially responsible for the outfit trackside.

That is because rules require a team principal to hold an F1 licence, and for them to be a full time member of staff employed by the team. Neither apply to Briatore, who is technically a consultant to parent company Renault.

But there is no mistaking that he is completely in charge, starting at this weekend's at Imola. But, for administrative purposes, Dave Greenwood is the boss on paper, having previously served as race engineer to at .

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In a statement, Alpine confirmed: "Dave Greenwood, who is racing director, now for administrative purposes will also be the 'dedicated responsible person' according to the rules. Flavio is otherwise covering the duties previously performed by Oli."

It is an arrangement with which the FIA is completely happy. A spokesperson for F1's governing body said: "Alpine have complied with all regulatory requirements relating to the departure of Mr Oakes, and have submitted their updated staff registration.

"We believe it is down to Alpine to provide an update on their management structure so we will not comment on any specific person holding a certificate of registration."

Despite the confusing administrative process, there is not seen to be any need for Briatore to become a fully employed member of staff just so that he can assume the official team principal role. Even when Oakes was around, the 75-year-old wielded significant power even from his advisory position.

Greenwood is expected to continue as the team's official representative for at least the duration of the current triple header of races, which becomes at Imola this weekend before trips to Monaco and then Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Oakes is in Italy for the race weekend in his capacity as a director of the Hitech GP team which competes in and Formula 3. He has been spotted roaming in the support paddock, which is separate from the F1 paddock in which the Alpine motorhome is situated.