Tensions are running high at Renault’s Viry-Châtillon factory, as 80% of the workforce walked off the job on Friday, protesting potential changes that could spell the end of their in-house Formula 1 engine program. The strike, which took place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., saw 100 employees even make the journey to Monza, where the Italian Grand Prix is set to unfold, to publicly display their discontent.
The Viry plant, home to the only French powertrain in F1, powers the Renault-owned Alpine team. But as rumors swirl about Renault’s potential shift to Mercedes engines from 2026, the future of the French-made engine appears increasingly uncertain. The Social and Economic Council, representing the workers, has accused Renault management of plotting to abandon the Viry engine program in favor of a cost-cutting measure that would see them buying Mercedes engines—a move that would slash costs from $120 million to a mere $17 million.
Wearing black armbands and white T-shirts emblazoned with the Alpine logo and the hashtag #ViryOnTrack, the striking employees made their presence felt at Monza. From the grandstands, they unfurled banners in support of their cause, hoping to catch the attention of Renault’s top brass, particularly CEO Luca de Meo, and influence the impending decision on the 2026 engine strategy.
“We want Luca de Meo to hear us and reconsider the plan for the 2026 engine,” said a spokesperson for the group. The employees were adamant that their protest was not intended to disrupt the team’s performance on track, emphasizing their pride in the Alpine car’s presence in F1 and their desire not to undermine it.
The employees’ arrival in Italy was not without incident, as Italian police conducted checks upon their arrival before ultimately assisting them in finding the appropriate grandstands to stage their demonstration.
The strike comes on the heels of a statement from the Social and Economic Council last week, which alleged Renault’s intention to halt all activities at the Viry plant. With a decision expected by September 30, the future of the Alpine power unit hangs in the balance, with workers fearing that their hard work and dedication to French engineering excellence could be cast aside.
While Renault has yet to officially comment on these reports, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has hinted that a decision from Alpine is imminent. The speculation adds another layer of uncertainty for a team that has already struggled with an underperforming engine and a series of leadership changes, leaving them languishing in eighth place out of ten in the current F1 standings.
As the clock ticks down to the end of the month, all eyes are on Renault and whether they will stick with their French-made engines or opt for a more cost-effective, but potentially controversial, solution with Mercedes.
