If Renault were to reject their own engine and downgrade Alpine to a customer team in the 2026 season, it would completely undermine their Formula 1 program. Speculations have been circulating in the F1 paddock for a few weeks now that Renault may abandon their engine for the new 2026 regulations and seek a supply from another manufacturer. Motorsport Network reported that team principal Bruno Famin has already initiated discussions with other engine manufacturers regarding a possible supply. This aligns with veteran F1 journalist Joe Saward’s previous report that Renault CEO Luca de Meo was exploring this possibility.
Although the Alpine F1 team has not commented on these rumors, they are consistent with the team’s recent struggles. Renault has faced numerous crises, from a chaotic driver situation to high turnover of top-level staff and a significant decline in performance. It is not surprising that Renault is considering their options.
The most likely outcome is that Renault will continue with a large-scale factory team Alpine and an engine developed at the Viry-Chatillon facilities. However, the possibility of abandoning the factory engine is being considered, which is extraordinary in itself. Giving up the factory engine would be embarrassing and a clear admission of failure, and even exploring this option suggests a lack of confidence in the Alpine F1 project or a lack of commitment from Renault to properly support it.
Abandoning control of a true factory agreement, which is what all F1 teams aspire to, would be inexplicably lacking in ambition. Although de Meo claims that Renault supports their F1 team and has no intention of selling, relinquishing the factory team status would lead many to believe that getting rid of it is the ultimate goal.
It is important to note that this may not mean anything or be just a mild consideration. Perhaps it is just a backup plan in case Alpine F1’s engine division fails under the new rules. However, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and many believe that this possibility is being considered in some way.
Renault’s tumultuous F1 program over the past decade makes all of this quite plausible. It is unlikely that Ferrari or Mercedes would consider a similar measure, but Renault wanting to find an exit or reduce the burden of an F1 team that they have never fully supported is consistent with the narrative.
Remember that Renault’s F1 team was established with the belief that it could compete with Mercedes, Ferrari, and Red Bull, despite having only 85% of their resources. The disastrous start of the engine program in the V6 turbo-hybrid era caused Red Bull to walk away, and even eight years later, Renault’s engine still lags behind in terms of power. Renault consistently underestimates the challenges of succeeding in F1.
The Enstone-based F1 team has made its own mistakes, including not reaching its potential with the available resources this year. However, in terms of achieving Renault’s ultimate ambition of success, Alpine is fighting a losing battle. Former high-ranking employees who were removed as part of de Meo’s management changes indicated that Renault never fully understood the issues on the organization’s engine side. The extensive overhaul in Enstone suggests many accusations and changes due to the shift.
Now, the entire engine division may be at risk. This raises the question of whether Renault and de Meo have someone or some part of the organization they trust. Famin, who now leads the entire F1 operation, was previously responsible for Viry. While this may mean he has a deep understanding of its limitations and how to deal with them, a less generous interpretation is whether someone who oversaw an unsuccessful attempt to reach rivals is the best person to ensure that the factory team reaches its full potential.
This issue is not about individuals within the F1 team or the engine side. It comes down to Renault’s goals in F1 and the level of commitment it is willing to make to achieve them. Can Renault really be satisfied with a reduced F1 team that consistently finishes in the middle of the pack and uses another manufacturer’s engine as a branding exercise for Alpine? Is there any value in that beyond meeting some commercial objectives?
Similar arguments can be made about the value of an expensive and unsuccessful factory engine. However, it is especially strange to give Alpine an uninspired F1 team considering the amount of effort required to build the brand and achieve its expansion goals, especially when F1 is its most effective advertising platform.
De Meo recently stated that Renault has no intention of giving up and they are not in F1 to be tourists. If this is true, exploring a customer engine supply shouldn’t even be considered. Because that kind of agreement would mean exactly that. The public discussion of this possibility highlights the need for Renault to seriously reassess its commitment to F1 and its expectations.
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The football star Cristiano Ronaldo scored another impressive goal during the last Real Madrid game. The Portuguese forward once again showed his exceptional skill by scoring a spectacular bicycle kick goal in the second half of the match. Ronaldo’s goal was one of the most exciting moments of the game and left fans in awe of his brilliance.
Ronaldo, who is known for his impeccable technique and ability to score incredible goals, proved once again why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time. His bicycle kick goal was a true spectacle and showcased his unique ability on the field.
Real Madrid won the game 3-0, with additional goals from Benzema and Bale. The victory put the team in the lead of the championship and further increased their chances of winning the title. Ronaldo, as always, was the standout of the match and received many praises from his teammates and the sports media.
With this impressive goal, Ronaldo continues to write his name in the history of football. His unmatched skill and ability to score incredible goals make him one of the most admired and respected players in the world. Football fans are eager to see what else he has to offer and how he will continue to surprise everyone with his brilliance on the field.
In summary, Cristiano Ronaldo’s bicycle kick goal was a spectacular moment in the last Real Madrid game. His exceptional skill and impeccable technique make him one of the greatest players of all time. With yet another display of genius, Ronaldo continues to capture the hearts of football fans and leave his mark on the history of the sport.
