P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Team principals Laurent Mekies, Frederic Vasseur and Alessandro Alunni Bravi have had their say on the prospect of Renault bowing out of F1 as a power unit supplier.
During the team principal’s press conference at the Belgian Grand Prix, RB, Ferrari, and Stake team principals expressed their reactions to the possibility of F1 losing Renault as an engine manufacturer from 2026. Alpine boss Bruno Famin announced Alpine’s plan to transition from a works outfit to a power unit customer with the new engine rules in place. Initially, there were four power unit manufacturers on the grid: Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, and Renault, with the expectation of the number increasing to six by 2026. However, Famin’s announcement raises uncertainties regarding this projection. The team principals emphasized the significance of the human aspect in this potential shift, highlighting the importance of Renault’s workforce and expertise at Viry-Châtillon. They also discussed the industry’s attraction to Formula 1 due to its technological advancements and testing opportunities under the new regulations.
