The Alpine Formula 1 team is considering closing its Renault power unit operation in Viry-Chatillon and seeking a customer engine agreement from a different manufacturer. According to Autosport, Alpine plans to discontinue its F1 power unit project and forego developing a new engine for 2026, opting instead to lease one from a competing manufacturer. This surprising development follows the statement from Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo that they will not sell any part of their F1 power unit. However, de Meo acknowledges the shortcomings of the power units produced in Viry since the start of the hybrid era in 2014. The poor performance of Viry’s F1 power units has resulted in the loss of customer base, with only the Alpine team using Renault’s engine. Joe Saward reports that the budget cap for F1 power unit development is $95 million until 2025, but less than half of that amount ($40 million) is being spent annually in Viry. With the cap increasing to $130 million per year, along with new regulations, Alpine would need a significant increase in investment to keep up. Saward also notes that F1 engine leases are limited to $15 million, which explains why the Alpine team boss is reportedly in discussions with competing manufacturers to secure an agreement.
So, who can Alpine approach to borrow an F1 engine for 2026 and beyond?
To avoid any interference from competing car manufacturers, Alpine could consider a partnership with the newly established Red Bull Powertrains.
Interestingly, Red Bull switched from Renault to Honda in 2019 due to years of dissatisfaction with Renault’s inefficient engines.
However, as Red Bull is starting its engine development from scratch, it is unlikely that they will be able to supply engines to any team other than their own.
The same situation applies to Audi, as they are busy developing an engine for their acquisition of Sauber in 2026.
The most likely supplier would be Mercedes, who will lose a customer in 2026 when Aston Martin becomes a Honda-powered team.
Mercedes has already supplied engines to the “Enstone Team” (formerly known as Lotus) in 2015. During that season, the team significantly improved, finishing sixth in the constructors’ championship with 78 points, a notable improvement of 68 points compared to their 2014 season with Renault engines.
If the F1 engine operation in Viry is shut down and Alpine fails to secure a deal with a customer, regulations allow an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to be obliged to supply engines to the team.
It is speculated that Honda is the most likely candidate in this scenario.
Regardless, this recent development in Alpine’s journey in F1, which includes a poorly performing car, significant changes in the top-level team, and discord among its drivers, presents a distressing situation that is not suitable for a factory-backed F1 team.
