Countdown launched for the future of Renault in Formula 1

Renault’s future has been on hold since the summer. The Alpine team announced a possible end of collaboration with the French firm by 2026. With the new regulations, the team could become a customer factory of its rival, Mercedes. The idea did not sit well with Renault’s employees in Viry-Châtillon, who have launched a plea for help to save the company’s future. If the end of this collaboration marks the end of over 50 years of history, it also puts an end to Renault’s chances of returning to Formula 1 one day.

A likely definitive end

Alpine and Renault, it’s a story with a French touch. After its team left Formula 1, Renault has focused on being an engine manufacturer until today. The company, which supports Alpine, could leave Formula 1 by the end of the year. Already since the beginning of the season, the company has been threatened. Through several press releases, the French team had expressed their desire to centralize the group’s actions at their Enstone premises. With their engine away from the English ground, two options were available to the team: to move or to break their ties with Renault. However, there was no indication before that Viry-Châtillon was threatened by these changes.

For 2 months now, the French firm knows more about its future. After parting ways with their team director Bruno Famin, who was sent back to Viry, Alpine wants to definitively end their ties with Renault. The latest reports indicate that the team is considering becoming a new customer for Mercedes engines. With Aston Martin leaving for Honda, a spot is opening up at the German manufacturer. Several teams already using their engines did not seem enthusiastic about this idea. Although they do not have real decision-making power, the arrival of a new team could have an impact on their own performance.

On the Renault side, the result is worse. Since the surprise announcement, the employees of Viry-Châtillon are revolting. If until now they had not taken action, at Monza, a few people present at the circuit staged protests. In the Paris region, the employees expressed their support by organizing a strike. Posted in front of the factory last Friday, they asked Luca de Meo, the company’s CEO, to reconsider his decision.

Money comes into play

If the discord has been going on for a while, it is only thanks to the actions of the employees that the French firm is starting to make itself heard. Already at the Italian Grand Prix, the executive advisor, Flavio Briatore, and the drivers, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, spoke out on the matter. Now it is Luca de Meo’s turn to speak. While Alpine is considering switching to Mercedes engines, nothing is certain yet. “No decision has been made yet,” stated CEO Luca de Meo in a recent interview. But while the information aims to reassure, the rest of his speech seems much less so. “We have four or five weeks to determine the next steps ahead of the board meeting,” he stated. “We are evaluating all opportunities.”

This decision, which seems to have been made abruptly, now has a deadline. By the next board meeting, the situation could still change for Alpine. But according to Luca de Meo’s comments, it seems that Mercedes is the most viable option. “If we look at this issue from a purely financial point of view, how expensive it is to develop an engine for 2026 yourself, and how much you could save with a customer engine, then we are talking about a huge difference,” he admitted. “Those who look at the numbers see that we could enter the new era of Formula 1 with a more powerful but less expensive package.”

For Viry-Châtillon, nothing reassuring. With financial savings after a visit to Mercedes, the Alpine team could invest more efficiently in its other departments. While nothing is set in stone, this choice seems to be the most logical for the team wishing to regain its competitiveness. Furthermore, Luca de Meo seems to have already found a new field for French engineers. While the factory remains open to collaboration with Andretti, it is preparing to close its doors to motor sports. “We have very capable and trained individuals who are not only working on the Formula 1 project. We have launched significant innovative projects, not only in motor sports,” concluded the director. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until next month to get the final word on the story.