If there has ever been a sensational period involving Formula 1 teams, this is it as Alpine and Renault take center stage in what is becoming an intriguing series of events concerning the future of the struggling French team.
Simultaneously with the circulation of quotes from Renault CEO Luca De Meo, vehemently denying any intentions to sell Alpine F1 Team or any part of Renault’s F1 operation, reports have emerged suggesting a potential separation between Enstone and Viry Chatillon.
In simple terms, various media outlets have reported that Alpine will be parting ways with Renault power for the 2026 F1 season, coinciding with the introduction of new power unit and chassis regulations.
The alleged reason behind this split is a lack of confidence in Renault’s ability to deliver a competitive power unit under the new 2026 regulations. This lack of trust can be traced back to 2014 when Renault’s Turbo Hybrid era got off to a disastrous start, resulting in what was arguably the worst F1 power unit. This failure ultimately led to the end of their partnership with Red Bull, with whom they had previously dominated F1 from 2010 to 2013, winning four consecutive championships with Sebastian Vettel at the helm.
Despite some marginal improvements over the years, the Renault power unit remains the least desirable among its competitors – Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda. Currently, it only powers their own works team, Alpine, whose performance has been consistently disappointing in recent years.
As a result, Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin has been exploring alternative options for power units in 2026, with Red Bull reportedly being at the top of their list. This choice would avoid any conflicts with Renault, unlike a potential partnership with Mercedes, Ferrari, or Honda.
However, Red Bull Powertrains is relatively inexperienced in manufacturing power units, even with Ford joining forces with them. They still lack the expertise of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda, making it quite a challenge for them to supply Alpine while also supporting their own works teams and VCARB.
Alternatively, Mercedes could be an option as they will have an available slot with Aston Martin partnering with Honda in 2026. But how would this arrangement work? A Renault-owned F1 team powered by a Mercedes engine? The idea of an Alpine-Mercedes F1 Team seems absurd, doesn’t it?
This leads to the question: considering De Meo’s recent statements, do these reports of a Renault/Alpine split have any solid basis?
It is undeniable that Alpine has been adrift in recent years, with multiple changes in management and restructuring failing to deliver the desired turnaround for Renault’s top executives. The team has lacked direction, and these reports of a split, despite apparent strong commitment from De Meo, will certainly not improve the situation.
Speculation will always exist, but we can only wait and see what the future holds for Renault and their Alpine in F1. Until then, we can only ponder: