Toto Wolff denies supplying Mercedes engines to Alpine
Alpine seems to be looking for a new engine manufacturer for 2026. Many rumors are already circulating in the paddock about a possible partnership with Mercedes, rumors denied by Toto Wolff, who is not closing the door on a proposal.
Alpine, the French team present on the grid, is considering changing engine supplier for 2026. At the moment, the team is partnered with the Renault brand, which will bid its official farewell during the new regulations, forcing Alpine to develop its own engines under the name Alpine Racing. The Renault team has failed to improve its performance over time and will therefore leave Formula 1.
The question now is whether the French manufacturer Alpine should continue to produce its own engines or become a customer for another brand, with Mercedes as a possible partner. At least that’s what the media have been sharing for a few days.
Toto Wolff mentioned this possibility by stating that Mercedes is open to the idea of supplying engines to Alpine from 2026. Currently, the engines already used this year will remain until the end of 2025. The new engines will be introduced in 2026 with the introduction of the new regulations.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has mentioned that the situation is complicated at the moment but the idea is not ruled out. “We appreciate the idea of replacing Aston Martin with another team because it allows us to learn more,” he said, referring to Aston Martin’s move to Honda as an engine supplier. “We believe that providing more engines helps to speed up developments and improve reliability. At the moment, we are still in preliminary discussions. Alpine must first decide whether they want to continue with their engine program or not. It is only after this decision that we can move forward, but we remain open,” he added.
Asked about a possible decision before the summer break, Wolff specified that it seems unlikely. “No, it’s a decision too complex and important to be taken lightly,” he said.
James Vowles, team principal of Williams, which uses Mercedes engines, also commented on the situation. Williams will continue to use Mercedes engines in 2026, and James Vowles recalled that a last-minute engine change could put Alpine behind other teams. He also expressed some reservations due to the large number of customers that the German team already has to supply.
Preparing properly for 2026 requires a lot of work, and even the smallest changes can have significant consequences, concluded James Vowles. Nothing is official at the moment, but one thing is certain: no contracts will be signed in the coming weeks.
