For the past couple of months, there have been several reports of Renault potentially exiting Formula 1 after the 2025 season. Now those rumours have turned into reality as the French manufacturer has confirmed that they are not developing an F1 engine for Alpine for the 2026 season.
Renault has been in Formula 1 since the 1977 season. Although they have not always been in the sport as a constructor, they have been as a power unit supplier for various teams including Red Bull Racing. But now, Renault is planning to completely pull out of the F1 project after the 2025 season.
In a recent statement, an Alpine spokesperson said: “Formula 1 activities at Viry, excluding the development of a new engine, will continue until the end of the 2025 season,”
This confirms that Renault will stop supplying power units after the 2025 season.
Alpine to rely on competitors for power units
With Renault’s departure from F1 after 2025, Alpine will now have to look to one of its competitors for an F1 engine. From what we have heard so far, Alpine has been in talks with Mercedes for a long time now.
Alpine is looking to work out a partnership that will result in the Mercedes power units in the back of the 2026 Alpine. But why Mercedes? The answer is quite simple. From what it looks like, Mercedes have been showing promising results with their 2026 power units. Given that the performance of the 2026 cars will highly depend on the power units, Alpine will have to make sure that they get a good engine in the back of their car.
🚨 BREAKING: Renault has confirmed it will not build power units for the new regulations Formula 1 is introducing in 2026.
Alpine is therefore in need of an engine supplier for the 2026 season. The team is believed to be in discussions with Mercedes to obtain power units as a… pic.twitter.com/49AHXP27nx
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) September 30, 2024
With their partnership with Mercedes, Alpine will be hoping to get back on top and start fighting for podiums. This year has been one of their worst seasons in Formula 1. The team has scored only 13 points and is 9th in the Constructors’ Championship. The Mercedes engine will give them the opportunity to bounce back.
Why is Renault leaving Formula 1?
Renault is a legendary brand in F1. They have been a part of the sport since the 1977 season. Over the decades, the team has won 2 Championships with Alonso and has powered the Red Bull through their glory years in the early 2010s. With such an impressive track record, why is Renault pulling out?
The answer is simple – Performance. Formula 1 is a sport that is highly dependent on performance. If you can’t perform, you don’t belong in Formula 1. Yes, the Renault engine did help Red Bull in the early 2010s. However, ever since the Turbo-Hybrid era began in 2014, Renault has not been performing well.
⚠️ | The Alpine Formula 1 team in closing in on a deal with Mercedes for a technical partnership that will include engine, gearbox and suspension and could even start in 2025.
With new Alpine F1 advisor Flavio Briatore said to be a key advocate that the team will be best served…
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 23, 2024
In 2021, Alpine announced that they will be the works team going forward and that their cars will be powered by Renault engines. However, these power units were not as powerful as they expected. With no results to show for it, Renault cannot continue to spend millions of dollars in developing the power units.
Do you think Alpine can do better with the Mercedes engines in 2026? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.
