P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes welcomes the Renault Group’s decision to abandon its Formula 1 engine project, saying “I want the best engine.”
Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo made the decision for Alpine to transition to a customer F1 outfit by the end of 2025, abandoning their F1 engine development in Viry-Chatillon. This move has sparked mixed reactions, with Alpine being considered a future Mercedes F1 engine customer despite concerns from the Viry staff. Alpine’s Team Principal, Oakes, welcomed the decision, citing the past struggles of Renault power units since the introduction of hybrid F1 engines in 2014. Despite Renault’s strong history in F1 engine production, Alpine has faced challenges in recent seasons, culminating in a disappointing ninth place in the 2024 standings. The decision reflects the financial logic of the sport, with the cost of producing an F1 power unit being a major factor in the switch to a customer engine deal. Viry’s long-standing association with F1 engine production, dating back to 1977, will come to an end as Alpine prepares for a new chapter in Formula 1.
