Oliver 'Oli' Oakes is the Team Principal and Director of Hitech GP and a successful entrepreneur, and is widely known throughout the industry as Oli. Beginning his racing career on the other side of the pitwall, Oakes became the 2005 World Karting champion, he continued to rise through the junior ranks and was once a part of the Red Bull Junior Team. Finding his calling inteam management, he set up his first karting team in 2011 before launching junior single-seater racing team Hitech GP in 2015.
Early life
Oakes was born 11 January 1988, the son of Billy Oakes, the founder and owner of the former Formula Renault and British F3 team and well known businessman in the Material Handling Industry: Group. He was educated at The King's School, Ely. With racing in his blood, he first took to the wheel of a kart at age 4 in his family's garden.
Racing career
Beginning his racing career in Karting, Oakes enjoyed success throughout his early career by being a twice British Open Champion at the age of 12. He ended his Karting Career by winning the Karting World Championship in 2005 at 17 years of age. His talents saw him attract the attention of the Red Bull Young Driver Programme, alongside Formula 1 graduates Sebastian Vettel, Brendon Hartley, Jaime Alguersuari and Sébastien Buemi. Moving to car racing in 2006, Oakes debuted in Formula BMW with Carlin Motorsport, where he immediately proved his natural driving ability by taking pole and the victory in his first ever race in the series. Further claiming 3 podiums and a string of strong results, he finished the season in 6th overall in the Formula BMW UK Championship after missing several rounds due to European commitments for Redbull. His promising talent saw him nominated for the BRDC McLaren Autosport Award. In 2007, Oakes joined Motopark for the 2007 Formula Renault Eurocup season, where he earned a handful of podiums. 2008 saw Oakes move to Eurotek Motorsport to compete in the British Formula 3 Championship. However the new team only entered 3 rounds which put him out of championship contention, he still proved himself by taking an impressive pole position at the final round at Donington. He moved to Carlin Motorsport for his 2009 campaign, but after a dispute with the team, decided to part company with the team before the Rockingham round of the series. Spending the rest of 2009 on the side-lines, Oakes made a name as a test driver for manufacturers, as well as a last-minute appearance in the GP3 Series during 2010 to assist with long time family friend, David Hayle's new team Atech CRS.
Post Racing Career
Since 2010 he has been on the other side of the pit wall focusing on team and business activities whilst maintaining an ongoing affiliation with Tony Kart.
was formed to offer technological support and services to race teams, with the aim of imparting their experience and resources to help teams to succeed established alongside the team headquarters in Silverstone. Hitech Technologies provide a full design and manufacture supply service throughout Original Equipment Manufacturers and the wider Automotive Industry, as well as motorsport paddocks. Offering the latest technical advancements, research and development, with cutting edge design services.
'''Hitech Performance'''
division was formed to enhance human performance of racing drivers. Offering on guidance, nutrition support, physio and sports therapy. Hitech Performance provides a premium motorsport-specific service, through purpose built, in–house facilities.
'''Oakes Recruitment'''
East Anglia based Recruitment Company, offers specialist recruitment services across a range of fields from HR, manufacturing, finance and accounts to logistics, legal, insurance and engineering. Oliver is a major shareholder in the company. The company was established In 2019 to help the Oakes Group Companies leverage their recruitment. Oakes Recruitment was closed In February 2020 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and moved back in-house.
