We’ve been waiting for it – rumors have been persisting in the paddocks for several months – Alpine is stopping its Formula 1 engine development program by the end of 2025 season. Goodbye, Renault E-Tech RE24.
How did Alpine get here?
In 2022, F1 regulations implemented an engine development freeze, locking in power unit designs until 2026.
In concrete terms, this meant that from 2022 onwards, engine constructors were no longer allowed to modify their power unit to increase their power. The problem was that Renault, which develops the engine for Alpine F1 Team had failed in its initial development and suffered from a cruel lack of power compared to the other engines on the grid. In Formula 1, a few less horsepower means many fewer mph at the end of the straight, and therefore less performance.
Not great in a discipline where you must overtake your rivals to win.
The management of the Alpine F1 Team, under the direction of Luca de Meo (Renault), has therefore decided to abandon their in-house engine development program and plan to purchase a new engine to install in their F1 car. Apparently, this new engine will come from Mercedes-AMG.
As a result, Alpine F1 Team is expected to save tens of millions of dollars, as the engine supply contract is expected to cost between $15M and $20M, compared with over $100 million to build the engine themselves.
The news out of Alpine with France-based Renault power unit programme to cease operations after 2025 🚨📰#F1 https://t.co/shtjqGJkmh
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2024
A reminder of the engines currently on the grid.
For the 2024 season, apart from Renault’s E-Tech RE24, only 3 different engines are on the grid:
- The Mercedes M15 E Perfomance powers Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, of course, as well as Mclaren, Aston Martin and Williams F1 Team.
- The Ferrari 066/12 powers Scuderia Ferrari, Stake F1 Team and Haas F1 Team.
- The Honda RedBull Powertrain RBPTH002 powers the two Redbull teams (which should change by 2026).
Why is it such a shame for Alpine and for France?
Renault has been developing and manufacturing Formula 1 engines since 1977. This French team has won numerous races and titles, notably during the great era of Fernando Alonso and Flavio Briatore in 2005 – 2006 with the formidable naturally-aspirated V10.
Until now, the Alpine F1 Team has been split into 2 entities: the chassis department in Enstone, England, and the engine department in Viry-Chatillon, France. For the chassis department, nothing to report, but for the engine department, this means that many employees will have to be mobilized on new projects that exclude Formula 1. The Viry-Chatillon center is to be converted into a high-tech development center for Alpine’s other Motorsport divisions. These include WEC and F2.
It’s a shame for France, which is losing its only Formula 1 development center. A French F1 car developed abroad doesn’t look good. Let’s at least hope that this heavily symbolic amputation will enable the Alpine F1 Team to get back on its feet in 2026.
So, what’s the plan?
Luca de Meo, Managing Director of the Renault Group, has made up his mind: no more Alpine engines. This raises the question of whether his objective is broader than simply restoring power to the F1 car. By saving tens of millions of dollars and teaming up with masters in the art of team management like Flavio Briatore to turn things around (despite the mess he was in), Alpine’s management seems intent on restoring some economic value to the team.
De Meo has denied that he wants to sell the Alpine F1 Team. Let’s hope, then, that this patrimonial sacrifice serves a purpose! See you in 2026 to find out.
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