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By Saajan Jogia
Sports Contributing Writer
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A statement from Renault has confirmed that it will be abandoning Alpine's 2026 Formula 1 engine project at its Viry-Châtillon factory in France, thereby ending its involvement in the premier class as a works outfit. The team is likely to switch to a Mercedes power unit for the new era of regulations.
The announcement came on Monday, days after Alpine's aggrieved factory staff made a last appeal to Renault CEO Luca de Meo, urging him to reconsider the plan to transition into a customer team in Formula 1. Ultimately, the Renault board reached its final decision on September 30th.
In July, Renault informed staff at its Viry-Châtillon and Enstone sites about a project review that could result in the engine division stepping back from its current F1 involvement. The news led to protests both at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza and at the team's headquarters, with employees voicing concerns over the possible changes.
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The staff argued that discontinuing the F1 program would deal a major blow to France's technology sector, insisting that the 2026 engine project had far more potential than recognized. After years of hard work on its development, the team was determined to keep Alpine as a fully-fledged works team in Formula 1, especially after considering the promising results exhibited by the 2026 power unit.
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However, the French brand has made its decision, announcing that its F1 engine facility will be repurposed into 'Alpine Hypertech,' an engineering center focused on advancing cutting-edge technology for future Renault and Alpine road cars. The statement from Renault, as reported by Crash.net, read:
"Alpine's management confirms its project to transform the site into a centre of engineering and high-tech excellence by late 2024.
"Formula 1 activities at Viry, excluding the development of a new engine, will continue until the end of the 2025 season."
Alpine CEO Philippe Krief added:
"Creating this Hypertech Alpine centre is key to Alpine's development strategy and, more broadly, to the Group's innovation strategy.
"It is a turning point in the history of the Viry-Châtillon site, which will ensure the continuity of a savoir-faire and the inclusion of its rare skills in the Group's ambitious future while strengthening Alpine's position as an 'innovation garage'.
"Its racing DNA remains a cornerstone of the brand. It will continue to fuel an unprecedented industrial and automotive project, thanks particularly to Hypertech Alpine."
Viry's future projects will focus on developing an Alpine supercar, advancing battery technology, and researching electric motors, while also supporting Renault's motorsport activities, including Alpine's WEC program, Formula E, Rally Raid, and other customer projects.
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