Staff wait on Renault to make decision on Alpine F1 engine future

Alpine, a subsidiary of Renault, has struggled with its engines competing in the top flight in recent years. CEO Luca De Meo and some Alpine F1 managers are considering switching to Mercedes for better performance, which would reduce costs from €125 million to around €20 million annually.

However, supporters of Renault’s in-house engine program argue that the company is capable of producing competitive engines, with the 2026 regulations promising improvements.

A meeting took place last Friday at Renault’s Viry-Châtillon factory to discuss the future engine plans. Employees, under the #ViryOnTrack campaign, emphasised that the F1 team’s issues extend beyond the engine and are confident in the 2026 engine's potential.

The CSE, Social and Economic Committee of the Alpine engine subsidiary stated: "Employees are still waiting for a position from the Renault Group management, who will consider the new elements."

The statement added: "Following the meeting with Mr. De Meo, the representatives of Alpine Racing's personnel would like to thank Renault Group's management for the opportunity to exchange with senior management and the quality of the discussions during this meeting."

The statement acknowledged that a last-ditch lobby, by F1 engine staff, was well received by their bosses: "The efforts and concrete proposals brought by the delegation from Viry-Châtillon seem to have resonated with the management of Renault Group, which is continuing to reflect on maintaining F1 activities at the French site.

"As it stands, the threat of stopping F1 engine developments in France is still relevant, the risk of losing unique expertise persists at a time when the industry in France needs to support its talents and strengthen its national collaborative network.

"The staff representatives remain mobilised, determined, and attentive to the employees. The preparation of future actions continues, and we will communicate on this subject in the coming days," concludes the statement.

The Alpine F1 team has been in transition for several years with a brigade of team principals, special advisors, and substitute TPs, plagued with bad management and naive leadership by decision-maker De Meo.

Currently, Ollie Oakes is team principal, appointed by Flavio Briatore, who was brought on board to steady the ship and whatever the disgraced Italian has on his agenda.