While Renault has not officially confirmed the cessation of its engine program in Formula 1, the direction has been apparent for some time.
Discussions behind the scenes with other manufacturers regarding potential customer agreements, and the preliminary arrangement with Mercedes now in place, paint a clear picture of Alpine F1 transitioning from a manufacturer to a customer team.
This week, developments came to light when Motorsport.com reported that employees at Renault’s facilities in Viry-Chatillon and Enstone were briefed about an assessment intended to outline a new future for the engine division.
The strategy appears to shift focus away from F1 involvement, exploring avenues to future-proof the Renault organization with innovations such as hydrogen technologies.
Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, outgoing Alpine team principal Bruno Famin shared insights into the current status and the elements influencing Renault’s decision to step back from an F1 engine tradition that originates from the late 1970s.
Bruno Famin, Team Principal, Alpine F1 Team
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Famin acknowledged the presentation to staff in Viry regarding the evaluation study, which he believes will align better with Alpine’s upcoming road car development.
“The project presented early this week to the staff representatives in Viry-Chatillon is about reallocating resources,” he explained.
“One aspect involves the development of the Formula 1 power unit in Viry, and we want to redirect those resources and expertise towards creating new technologies for the brand and upcoming product lines.”
“Should this project be approved, it would mean Alpine F1 would procure a power unit instead of developing one in-house. Consequently, we would have more resources available to enhance the brand and work on a different racing engine.”
The Driver for Change
Renault’s choice to halt its F1 engine initiative signifies a significant shift influenced heavily by competitive and financial considerations.
Managing an engine program in F1 is extremely costly, with expenses escalating significantly if, as Renault has discovered, the end result leaves them at a disadvantage.
While some speculate that the shift to a customer team stemmed from Renault’s lagging progress on the 2026 engine, Famin asserts that this isn’t the case.
“We all know that since 2014 we haven’t had the premier engine in Viry, but it’s among those that have improved the most during this time,” he stated.
“Currently, we may not be leading, but our advancements have been notable, and the developments being made in Viry for the 2026 engine are remarkable.”
“We have set ambitious targets, and I’m confident we can achieve them. The dyno results we’ve seen are very promising.”
Alpine F1 Team engineering hub
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Nonetheless, the benefits of an F1 team running its own engine have diminished significantly over the years.
Famin, who has a background at Viry, noted that as manufacturers have become increasingly proficient, the advantages of integrating a proprietary engine versus a customer unit have reached a point of minimal gain.
Thus, the balance of cost versus benefit regarding a manufacturer producing its own engine has shifted considerably, influencing Renault’s decision.
As Famin pointed out, “There’s some potential for development integration, but in the grand scheme, it’s somewhat theoretical now, as all PU manufacturers collaborate closely and early with teams to optimize all integrations.”
“Taking a Ferrari or Mercedes engine as examples, I’m confident that their integration and packaging are already excellently done.”
The decision to possibly abandon their works project is simply a matter of strategic alignment with Alpine’s aspirations in the automotive market, where funds can be utilized more effectively elsewhere.
“We find ourselves at a critical junction,” he expressed when asked about Renault’s abrupt shift away from being a manufacturer team.
“The project aimed at developing the Alpine brand is now very concrete and clear, allowing us to understand the resources required for this growth.”
“Consequently, the central question for the Alpine brand becomes ‘how can we optimally use our available resources to further develop the brand?’”
Alpine factory
Photo by: Alpine
Expected Timeline
Famin mentioned that the project is currently centered around the engine plan changes slated for 2026, with reports suggesting there’s a chance things could be accelerated to 2025 if favorable conditions arise.
The timeframe for completing the evaluation is uncertain, largely hinging on feedback from trade union representatives in France. Famin noted that the process could take anywhere from days to several months.
“We need to complete the social process in Viry,” he noted. “It could take one week or even two months. We have to finalize that process.”
Given the strict nature of French labor laws, extensive scrutiny of every change is expected; however, Famin assured that current employees will not lose their jobs.
“We are following all required procedures, and there’s no reason not to execute everything correctly,” he stated. “Importantly, every single employee will be offered a position within the project. There will be no redundancies.”
“We aim to make what could be a very challenging transition as smooth as possible, although we acknowledge that such changes are never easy.”
Esteban Ocon, Alpine A524, Pierre Gasly, Alpine A524
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
The Sale Speculation
A theory that has long prevailed regarding Renault’s rationale for stepping back from its works engine initiative suggests a potential sale of the Alpine team.
For potential investors interested in acquiring the Alpine operation, a commitment to the Renault engine aspect of the project would have been a significant hurdle.
By eliminating this component entirely, Renault streamlines the Alpine operation, simplifying any prospective sale.
However, Renault CEO Luca de Meo has consistently refuted the notion of a desire to sell, a sentiment echoed by Famin in light of the revised engine strategy.
“The F1 project remains crucial for the Alpine brand,” Famin asserted.
“F1 is integral to our goal of expanding brand awareness globally, and that intention prevails. Yet, the initiative [to reallocate resources at Viry] focuses on enhancing our brand development while maintaining our focus on motorsport, particularly F1, to boost awareness.”
