Fred Vasseur regrets the abandonment of Renault engines at Alpine
Ferrari and Kick Sauber team bosses Fred Vasseur and Alessandro Alunni Bravi have spoken out about the Alpine team's decision to abandon Renault engines from 2026. A decision they regret.
Interviewed at a press conference this Friday about the prospect of Formula 1 losing the Renault engine manufacturer, Fred Vasseur expressed some reservations about this idea. “I think it’s always bad news when we lose an engine producer,” said the Ferrari team principal.
« Obviously, one of the main goals of this new regulation in 2026 was to attract more engine manufacturers. So, ultimately, if it happens as Bruno said, it means that we will have one more with Audi and one less with Alpine. So, I don’t think this is good news », he added.
He pointed out, however, that this happens fortunately at a time when there are many engine manufacturers in Formula 1. Therefore, I would say that the sport can handle this change well. But it is never good news when we lose a great manufacturer.
The people are important in F1.
Fred Vasseur is thinking more about the employees of Renault in Viry-Chatillon, who had to learn bad news this week, with this new reorientation starting in 2026. « I am more focused on the people at Renault. I know the company very well, I spent years with them. I started my career in 1992 with Renault. And I am deeply attached to Renault. And I think it’s a shame », he concluded.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, team leader of Kick Sauber, also regrets this decision. « I fully agree with Fred. Because I think that at the moment, it is of course critical. And I think we can share this feeling with Bruno. People are also important and we need to focus on them. This is also something to understand for me »,” he said.
According to him, this decision does not seem to be related to the new PU regulations of 2026 or the direction that Formula 1 is taking towards 2026. “I think the PU regulations are very attractive for new manufacturers.” And of course, Audi is the perfect example that shows that, thanks to these new regulations, there is interest from the automotive industry to be in Formula 1. Because it is the cornerstone of technology and the best testing ground for future mobility technical solutions,” says Alessandro Alunni Bravi.
