The employees of Alpine in Viry “regret” the abandonment of the Renault engine
As expected, Renault's decision to end the Alpine Racing engine program for Formula 1 has sparked strong reactions at the Viry-Châtillon factory. The Alpine Racing works committee has released a statement deploring the verdict.
The day after the official announcement of the abandonment of its Formula 1 engine, Renault announced the transformation of the Viry-Châtillon unit, releasing the costly development of F1 engines. In response, the factory employees reacted through the Alpine Racing Works Council (CSE).
Opposition to the termination of the F1 program.
In an official statement, employee representatives expressed their dissatisfaction: « The entire employee representatives, who voice the employees and a majority of stakeholders, regret and deplore the decision to stop F1 motorization in 2026. » They emphasize that this choice, motivated by the willingness of the Renault Group to reduce the financial risks related to F1, was not preceded by a serious study on its potential impact on future sales and the brand’s prestige.
Also read: Alpine abandons Renault engine in F1 for 2026
On September 20, employee representatives had met Luca de Meo, CEO of the Renault Group, to defend the continuation of F1 activity. Although concerns persisted about a potential shutdown, the feedback from this meeting had initially been positive.
The proposals made by employees rejected by Renault
However, despite promising leads, the Renault board ultimately set aside the proposed solutions. Partnership options, which would have allowed to maintain an F1 activity while reducing costs, were rejected, regrets the CSE. According to them, this would have also allowed to retain internal skills and continue the development of the promising RE26 engine for the 2026 season.
The press release also highlights the uncertainty surrounding the new projects announced for Viry-Châtillon. The staff and budget allocated to the F1 monitoring unit appear to be insufficient, which jeopardizes a possible return of Alpine as an engine supplier in the future.
Short-term consequences for the Viry-Châtillon site
The CSE of Alpine Racing France indicates that the transformation of the Viry-Châtillon site, planned under the name “Hypertech Alpine” from the end of 2024, will have immediate consequences on employment. As of January 2025, the workforce will drop from 500 to 334 employees with the end of contracts for many service providers. Furthermore, around 100 indirect jobs with key partners will be eliminated by the end of 2024. The Alpine Mechanical Excellence Contest (CEMA), supported by several ministries, will also come to an end.
An uncertain future for Alpine Racing
The CSE concludes by expressing concerns about the future of the Viry-Châtillon site. The termination of the F1 program, the immaturity of new projects, and the loss of confidence in the management pose a major risk of critical skills leaving. Despite these challenges, the team has continued to develop the 2026 engine, which Alpine is now depriving itself of.
Due to these concerns, the CSE unanimously issued a negative opinion on the transformation project. They also call on the public authorities to defend the sustainability of jobs on the site.
