Alpine Considers Abandoning Renault Engine in Favor of Customer Deal for Formula 1 2026
Alpine Mulls Drastic Engine Change for 2026
As Alpine evaluates its Formula 1 project amid a challenging start to the current season, the team is considering a significant change: ditching its works Renault engine in favor of a customer deal from 2026. Senior Renault and Alpine management are exploring all avenues to improve their situation, and this drastic measure is now on the table.
The current Renault power unit’s underperformance compared to rivals, combined with uncertainty about the next-generation turbo hybrids arriving in 2026, has led to questions about the necessity of investing heavily in producing their own engine. As a result, Alpine team principal Bruno Famin has been in talks with rival manufacturers to discuss alternative options.
“I think we need to establish ourselves first. We don’t want to overstretch ourselves,” Christian Horner, Red Bull team principal, said last year.
One potential solution would be to secure a customer engine supply from Red Bull, which will introduce its own power units in 2026. However, Horner has previously expressed reservations about taking on a third team, citing logistical complications.
Another viable option could be Mercedes, which will have a freed-up supply deal in 2026 following Aston Martin’s switch to Honda. Mercedes has demonstrated its willingness to supply power units to other automotive companies, evident in its deals with Aston Martin and McLaren.
If Alpine opts for a customer engine and cannot reach an agreement with another manufacturer, Formula 1 regulations would dictate that one of the sport’s current engine suppliers would be called upon to provide an engine, likely Honda.
The engine situation is fluid, but Renault CEO Luca de Meo has recently reaffirmed his commitment to Alpine’s Formula 1 future, despite interest from potential buyers. De Meo cited Renault’s struggles with the turbo hybrid engine rules, which have cost the team performance throughout the current regulation cycle.
A switch to a customer team would not only provide Alpine with potentially more competitive and cost-effective power units but also make the team more attractive for potential buyers in the future, as the Viry-Chatillon engine department would no longer be part of the team’s F1 effort.
Alpine declined to comment on the situation when contacted by Motorsport.com. As the team weighs its options, one thing is clear: the French manufacturer is willing to take drastic measures to stay competitive in Formula 1.
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