In little over two years, several key aspects of Alpine F1 have changed. Drivers, team principals and technical directors are among notable departures from the Enstone squad since 2024. Alpine’s choice to stop using Renault engines by 2026 is another key shift – which has been justified by mainly economic factors.
Finances played decisive role in ending Renault’s F1 partnership with Alpine
For many years, there was huge optimism surrounding the Renault/Alpine project. Even big-name drivers like Daniel Ricciardo and Fernando Alonso were convinced by their project.
However, the last two years have seen Alpine plummet down the pecking order. After finishing the first season of the 2022 regulations in 4th, they are now 9th in the standings – struggling to score points.
In a bid to reverse their fortunes, many changes have been considered. Three team principals have been at the helm at Alpine over the last twelve months – perhaps the most obvious example of their instability.
Most recently, the team concluded that continuing with Renault engines was no longer worth the trouble.
Alpine admit to losing sponsors due to poor performance
Speaking to l’equipe, Renault CEO Luca de Meo explained that financial considerations heavily influenced this decision:
“Fans – except the real enthusiasts, I agree – and sponsors come for a team, not for an engine. Partners sign with McLaren, not with a Mercedes under the hood.
“The F1 public has changed. It has expanded to include young people, women. This new clientele has a different interpretation of this sport.
“We support a driver, a colour, a brand – not an engine. Alpine, given our position [9th in the teams’ Championship] is losing bonuses.
“Sponsors are rare. We have a hole in the air. My shareholders know how to count. Alpine has to make money.
“Now, with our P16, P17, we look like jokers. We are nowhere.”
For many observers, this move is a reminder that Renault’s commitment to Formula 1 was always lacking.
Relinquishing Alpine’s manufacturer status to become a customer team – though not entirely without logic – seems a very unambitious direction to pursue.
Personnel at the team’s factory in Viry insist that 2026 engine development was going well. Unfortunately for these engineers, this was not enough to safeguard their future.
Whilst Renault step away from F1, Ferrari are already in the process of capitalising on the situation to hire more staff. Others will surely do the same, especially as Audi work grows their new engine department.
