After the confirmation of the Argentine driver as the new man of the French team, new changes arose in the engine that will mark the next two years.
renault announced that will stop producing engines for Formula 1 due to high costs. In response, AlpineRenault’s sports division, opted for a radical measure: It will begin to use power units and gearboxes supplied by Mercedes from the 2026 season, and will abandon those from the diamond brand.
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The agreement between both brands will cover the entire cycle of the new regulations, from 2026 to at least 2030. The Hybrid engines, which combine internal and electric combustion, will see an increase in the electrical load and will use 100% sustainable fuels.
This movement generated surprise, since it challenges the traditions and historical rivalries in the F1comparing it with a hypothetical alliance between Mercedes and Ferrari.
renaultan emblematic manufacturer in F1 with two drivers’ and constructors’ championships, has decided to abandon internal engine production. Mercedes, for its part, already supplies engines to McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin, and in 2026 it will also do so to Alpine.
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The decision of renault provoked negative reactions among employees of the Viry-Chatillon plant, who in September carried out strikes and protests against the cessation of production of internal engines.
Alpinewhich previously depended on the plant Renault in Viry-Châtillon for the production of its engines, has decided to close said production after the 2025 season due to financial reasons. The annual cost of producing in-house engines amounted to 250 million euros, while purchasing them from an external supplier would reduce that expense to less than 20 million euros.
Luca de Meo, CEO of Renaulthighlighted that the focus of Formula 1 fans is more focused on the drivers and the overall performance of the team than on the engine supplier, citing as an example the success of McLaren in 2023, which despite using a Mercedes engine, outperformed the official team on some occasions, demonstrating that other technical aspects influence performance.
This change occurs at a key moment for Alpinewhich has the financial backing of investors such as actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL footballers Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. This momentum is already generating results, as evidenced by their recent double podium in Brazilreflecting competitive growth.
Source: Ambito
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