The confirmation has arrived: the Renault group will no longer produce power units for Alpine starting in 2026. Thus ends the adventure that began in 1977 for the French team in Formula 1.
The Alpine F1 Team is experiencing one of the most chaotic moments in its history. With the departure of former team principal Bruno Famin, the arrival of new principal Oliver Oakes, and the return of Flavio Briatore along with other exits, the Enstone-based team is trying to find the right combinations to restore the team to its former glory. The next step for the team was the separation from the Renault group for the production of Alpine engines, a confirmation that had been anticipated for some time.
Today, the official announcement has arrived confirming the end of the production of power units for the Alpine Formula 1 team by the historic factory in Viry-Châtillon, effective from 2026, marking the end of forty years of tradition. Most likely, Oakes’ team will become a customer team for Mercedes in the coming years. No success, therefore, for the strike initiated by the employees of the French factory during the Monza Grand Prix, despite the meeting with Luca De Meo having raised the hopes of the workers.
“Following consultation with the employee representatives at Viry, Alpine has decided to establish an F1 monitoring unit. This unit will aim to maintain employees’ knowledge and skills in this sport and remain at the forefront of innovation for Hypertech Alpine’s various projects“ as stated in the official statement from the French manufacturer.
The future of the Viry-Châtillon factory
Hypertech Alpine will be the new engineering center that will be established in the municipality of the French region, becoming a hub for the development of high-performance vehicles and innovative technologies for the Alpine brand and the Renault Group, offering every involved employee the opportunity to take on a new role within it.
“The establishment of the Hypertech Alpine center is crucial for Alpine’s development strategy and for the innovation of the Group. This is a pivotal moment in the history of Viry-Châtillon, which will ensure the continuity of expertise and the integration of specialized skills into the ambitious future of the Group, reinforcing Alpine’s position as the ‘garage of innovation.’ Our racing DNA remains a fundamental pillar of the brand, fueling an unprecedented industrial and automotive project, made possible by Hypertech Alpine” said Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine, who emphasized the importance of this project.
Photo: Alpine F1 Team.
