“I do know there’s plenty of emotion there as a result of we’re proud to be a works workforce and we nonetheless have a yr all collectively [in 2025], however I do really feel that was additionally an enormous assertion of intent actually of the place we need to go.
“We’re not right here simply to be making up the numbers. We need to be pushing ahead. I feel I used to be fairly open, possibly too sincere after I stated, being egocentric, I simply need one of the best engine at the back of the automobile.
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“On the finish of the day, for me, we’re right here to go racing. I need to be on the entrance of the grid, I don’t need to be strolling to the again. The selection we made was to get one of the best engine at the back of the automobile and assist the workforce hold climbing again up the grid.”
When pushed on how Alpine can know that Mercedes might be sturdy in 2026, Oakes responded: “I feel you may’t be useless certain, as a result of nothing in life is a useless cert, however you must be pragmatic there.