P1racenews AI automatic summary:
If Renault rejects its own engine and downgrades Alpine to a customer team for 2026 it would completely discredit its works Formula 1 programme
If Renault rejects its own engine and downgrades Alpine to a customer team for 2026, it would undermine the credibility of its works Formula 1 program. The possibility of Renault abandoning its engine for the 2026 rules and seeking a supply from another manufacturer has been rumored in the F1 paddock, with talks reportedly opened by team principal Bruno Famin. While Alpine’s F1 team has not confirmed the rumors, sources suggest Renault CEO Luca de Meo is considering various options for the struggling team. Scrapping the works engine would be a significant admission of failure and lack of confidence in the Alpine project. Renault’s haphazard works F1 program has led to speculation about its commitment to the team’s future, raising questions about the company’s long-term strategy in the sport.
