P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Alpine employees in France will go on strike alongside a protest at the Italian Grand Prix, in opposition to Renault’s plan to axe its Formula 1 engine programme
Alpine employees in France are planning to strike in protest against Renault’s decision to end its Formula 1 engine program and switch to Mercedes engines from 2026, which they see as a betrayal of Alpine’s heritage and expertise. The employees, represented by the Alpine Racing Works Council, will stage a public protest at the Italian Grand Prix, displaying banners advocating for the retention of a French engine in F1. Some employees will be present at the event, while others will go on strike back at the Viry-Chatillon facility in solidarity. The workers believe that Renault’s decision is a disaster for French technological sovereignty and industrial innovation, and they accuse Renault management of being unresponsive to dialogue. The CSE acknowledges the performance issues of the current engine but highlights the technological breakthrough and investments made for the 2026 engine, designed to comply with new regulations. They criticize Renault for destabilizing management and leadership changes affecting the team’s overall performance. Despite the protests and strikes, the CSE emphasizes that the actions will not disrupt track operations and that the review process for the transformation project is still ongoing between Renault and Alpine.
