P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine has confirmed it will become a Mercedes customer from the new power unit regulations in 2026, following the closure of its own Formula 1 engine department. The French constructor announced …
Alpine has announced its decision to transition to using Mercedes power units from the 2026 Formula 1 season onwards due to the closure of its own engine department. This move entails Alpine becoming a customer team, relying on Mercedes for power units and gearboxes. The agreement between BWT Alpine Formula One Team, Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix is set to last for several years, starting from 2026 through at least 2030. Despite the shift, Alpine is committed to delivering strong performances in the 2024 and 2025 seasons before the new era begins. The closure of Alpine’s power unit department has sparked discontent among some employees, leading to protests, marking a significant change for the former Renault Group in F1 engine production. As of now, Mercedes already supplies power units to McLaren, Williams, and Aston Martin, with the potential to accommodate a new customer in 2026 when Aston Martin transitions to Honda.
