The Alpine F1 Team managed to stand out at the Brazilian GP, delivering a sensational double podium. But it’s a victory that masks deeper issues beyond F1 for the French constructor.
Luca de Meo, the CEO of Alpine, might be facing a decisive turning point and could be leaving the company amidst its ongoing evolution. Here are the details on an uncertain future for the brand.
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A useless double podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix
Yes, the Alpine F1 Team achieved a great double podium this weekend at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix. Yes, this performance will likely earn them a significant cash prize if they manage to stay in 6th or 7th place in the Constructors’ Championship. But in truth, this feat does not reflect the true state of the Franco-British team. Between a Formula 1 car that isn’t working, directors who don’t last more than a year, and difficulties in coordinating operations between the two sites in Viry-Chation, and Enstone, it feels like this breath of fresh air in São Paulo will have been in vain. Because even if the Alpine F1 Team finishes the championship in a better position, the underlying problems in the team remain unresolved. Therefore, this performance, thanks to a strategic move in the rain, won’t provide any lessons from the race. I’m not talking about luck, as it would be unfair to diminish Ocon and Gasly‘s performance in the rain, and the racecraft of Alpine’s strategists. However, the double podium in São Paulo will remain an exceptional event that cannot be replicated on command.
The end of an era for Renault in F1
After years of collaboration, Renault announced it would no longer produce engines for Formula 1 after 2025. This decision carries major consequences, especially for the Alpine team, which has used these engines since 2016. Luca de Meo, who took the reins of the Renault group in 2020, confirmed that a shift to being a customer team in F1 would be inevitable. This announcement marks the end of a significant chapter in Renault’s Formula 1 history. While the decision makes sense from an economic perspective, it also reveals internal tensions within the group. De Meo’s announcement comes amid rumors about his imminent departure from Renault, potentially moving to Stellantis, the automotive group that owns brands like Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, and Jeep. Stellantis, no longer active in F1, has been eyeing the World Endurance Championship (WEC), an area Alpine is also interested in. Their presence is ensured by the Peugeot brand, which recently secured a podium at the 8 Hours of Bahrain.
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De Meo’s departure: rumors and perspectives
Luca de Meo seems to be at a crossroads. According to several sources, the businessman may soon join Stellantis. Could this departure be linked to strategic differences within Renault, especially concerning F1 engine production? The radio silence surrounding his potential successor fuels speculations that De Meo might want to focus on new horizons in the automotive industry, particularly in endurance racing, where Stellantis is increasing its investment. The former Fiat brand director, who took the helm at Renault with a goal of transformation, appears increasingly disillusioned with the brand’s evolution. “We’ve become invisible,” he recently admitted, referring to a growing lack of impact in F1 and a project that “was deflating.” After three challenging seasons, Alpine could find itself needing to reinvent its role in the paddock, without its own engine and potentially without its CEO.
This article explores the current uncertainties surrounding Alpine F1 Team’s future with Renault’s departure from F1 engine supply. We take a look at Alpine’s double podium at the Brazilian GP and why, despite the significant points scored, this podium might be considered hollow.
Featured image: Alpine F1 Team
