Alpine justifies choice of Mercedes engine for 2026

The director of the Alpine team, Oliver Oakes, spoke about the team’s decision to switch to Mercedes power units for the new Formula 1 rules in 2026, stating that the team simply wanted the best engine for the team.

The parent company of Alpine, Renault, had invested in the transition from F1 to a nearly 50/50 split between internal combustion engine and electric motor. However, it chose to shut down its engine project for 2026 in Viry-Châtillon, triggering a strike by the employees.

Alpine has therefore opted for a partnership with Mercedes for its power units from 2026, thus becoming a customer team.

Some decisions made this year were not easy

In the Beyond the Grid podcast, Oliver Oakes explained that the decision to cancel the Renault engine project for 2026 was emotionally difficult, but it was in the best interests of the team to move up the hierarchy.

« Some decisions made this year were not easy », said the team boss to host Tom Clarkson. « The subject of Viry is very personal for the team and for many people, as it represents a great story as a factory team. But times are changing. You see it in many sports teams: you can’t rest on your laurels. »

« I think we need to be honest. The analysis had been done before my arrival, and at the board level, the decision to become a client team was in the team’s best interest. »

« I know it was a difficult decision and it engenders a lot of emotions, because we are proud to be a factory team, and we still have one more year together. But I think it was also a strong statement about our ambitions. We are not here to make up the numbers. We want to move forward. I just want the best engine at the back of the car. Ultimately, we are here to race.

Translate: « I want to be at the front of the grid, not at the back. Sadly, the choice we made was to get the best engine to help the team move back up the hierarchy. » Oliver Oakes pointed out that there was no guarantee that Mercedes would start 2026 as strongly as in 2014 with the introduction of hybrid power units, but the choice of the German brand’s products was pragmatic.

An opportunity for Alpine?

He added that this partnership would offer Alpine an opportunity to evaluate its current chassis design capabilities, after several seasons with less powerful engines than its F1 competitors.

« Nothing is ever guaranteed, but we must be pragmatic. I do not know all the details of the decision, as it was made before my arrival. But if I were to analyze it, I would say that history shows that with every change in regulations, Mercedes has been strong.

« What is also important is that it gives us the opportunity to evaluate ourselves. Currently, we do not produce a perfect chassis or a perfect engine, and we are very honest and humble about it. For me, this gives us an opportunity to look at ourselves in the mirror and work hard on the chassis side, which is a challenge that we should appreciate.

« Personally, that’s why we come to work. We want to prove that we are the best, that we are competent, and that we can produce a high-performing race car.