In what is another spanner in the works for the FIA proposed 11th Formula 1 team - aka Andretti Formula Racing - Alpine have made it known that their contract to supply Power Units to Michael and Mario's project has expired, and needs to be renegotiated ASAP before time runs out.
Alpine, along with Zak Brown, were the original supporters of the Andretti bid. But the McLaren boss appears to have gone into the shadows with his opinions now that it's decision time and now, the latest blow the French manufacturer opting out of the deal.
Speaking to Motorsport Network, Alpine acting F1 boss Bruno Famin revealed: “We had a pre-contract with Andretti, which has expired because they were supposed to be granted an F1 entry before a given date. It means right now, if we want to do something with Andretti, we need to negotiate a full contract, a formal contract.
"So right now, we have absolutely no contract with Andretti. Everybody knows what the situation is. We need something, and we need a decision from F1 before resuming with Andretti," explained Famin, referencing the decision to be made by F1 Chief Stefano Domenicali has to make.
The fact that General Motors brand Cadillac is partnering with Andretti is no problem said Famin: “We are still on the same line. We had pre-conditions for making a deal. We are still expecting those conditions are fulfilled, but we have not changed at all our process.”
As F1 dithers on giving Andretti the nod, time marches on and getting on the grid in 2025 is increasingly unlikely. A reality check for the project which Famin issued: “I'm not talking about [only] Andretti, but we start the supply of parts for the season a very long time before.
Famin: We have nothing against 11 teams if it really brings real added value
"Of course, depending on what will be the situation, there are some things we will be able to do, and some others we won't be able to. But, for the time being, it's even useless talking about that, because let's see, we don't have the starting point," admitted Famin.
As it stands all current F1 team are united in their conditions for a new team, Famin is onboard with his colleagues in the paddock: “We have nothing against 11 teams if it really brings real added value to the business as a whole, and to F1 in general.
“It's up to F1, to the promoter, to assess what is the real added value an 11th team may bring. And if they evaluate that there is really a big added value, we will be happy with that.
“What we don't want is that an 11th team dilutes the value of our assets in the championship. Of course, if that will be the case, we will be against that," concluded Famin.
Currently, Renault powers only the two Alpines on the current grid, Mercedes have their own team and Williams, Aston Martin and McLaren; Haas and Alfa Romeo are Ferrari-powered and Honda-RBPT have their two in-house teams Red Bull and AlphaTauri.
Renault powered two teams last until 2020, their own and McLaren. Their last title as an engine supplier was back in 2013 when they partnered Red Bull to four successive world titles with Sebastian Vettel.
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