Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s Executive Advisor, has delivered a blunt rationale behind the team’s decision to abandon its long-standing Renault engine production and transition to Mercedes power units from 2026. In typical Briatore fashion, the Italian pulled no punches, emphasizing that Alpine’s survival and competitiveness depend on cutting unproductive costs and refocusing on what matters most—winning races.
“The French Want to Win”
Renault engines have been at the heart of Alpine’s identity, but Briatore made it clear that sentimentality can’t compete with results. Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, he underscored the painful truth: Renault’s power units have been a consistent weak link since the dawn of the hybrid era in 2014.
“The French want to win. We don’t win with our engine. It’s as simple as that. If we want to win, we have to give up the areas in which we are not competitive. That’s one less problem for us to worry about in the future. Let’s concentrate on the car.”
The McLaren Case: Proof That Engines Don’t Define Success
Briatore pointed to McLaren’s 2024 Constructors’ Championship as the perfect example of a customer team thriving with a non-works engine.
“McLaren becomes world champion with a Mercedes engine. How many times have you read or heard about McLaren-Mercedes becoming world champions? Never. Haas is Haas and not Haas-Ferrari.”
His point is simple: winning teams get the glory, not engine suppliers. For Alpine, offloading engine production at Viry-Châtillon removes a massive financial burden and allows the team to allocate resources where it truly counts—aerodynamics, car development, and race strategy.
Cost-Cutting or For Sale? Briatore Denies Speculation
Alpine’s decision sparked speculation about a potential sale of the team, especially with Briatore’s laser focus on cost-cutting. Reducing operational costs, combined with ditching a costly, underperforming engine program, has undeniably made the Enstone operation a more attractive asset.
However, Briatore dismissed rumors of an impending sale:
“I don’t understand this speculation. Since I joined Renault, the same questions have always been asked. When we won the world championship title in 2005 and 2006, I was asked whether Renault wanted to stay in Formula 1.”
He reiterated that Renault is committed to F1, albeit with a clear emphasis on maximizing results while minimizing expenditure.
“I believe in efficiency. That’s why I’m now saving money everywhere in the areas that don’t make my car faster. I don’t think about what I’ll be doing in five, 10, or 20 years’ time. I decide what’s important now.”
A Bold Move for the Future
While the decision to scrap Renault engines marks the end of an era, Briatore’s leadership signals a shift toward pragmatism over tradition. Alpine’s move to Mercedes power will align them with a proven engine supplier, while their renewed focus on chassis development and cost efficiency could finally deliver the results the team has been chasing for years.
With Briatore at the helm and a sharp vision for Alpine’s future, the question is no longer whether the team can survive without Renault engines, but whether they can thrive. For Briatore, the answer is clear:
“Winning matters most.” 🏎️
