Renault, a prominent name in Formula One history, has officially announced its withdrawal from the sport after 2025. This decision means that the Renault name will no longer be seen on the grid beyond 2025, as the French car manufacturer has decided to cease engine development for its ‘Alpine’ team in preparation for the new technical regulations set to be introduced in the 2026 season.
The team, which has been competing under the ‘Alpine’ performance sub-brand since 2021 following its comeback as ‘Renault’ in 2015, is expected to switch to Mercedes-Benz engines, although this change has not been confirmed yet. Speculations about the end of the Renault engine program led to protests by staff at the team’s Viry-Chatillon plant in France in recent months.
Renault currently stands as one of the three ‘works’ teams in F1, alongside Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari, meaning that they are factory-supported teams that manufacture both their chassis and engines. The decision of a team owned by a car manufacturer to use another brand’s engines has raised concerns among workers at the team’s engine plant, leading to protests under the hashtag ‘ViryOnTrack.’
Despite the withdrawal from engine development, Renault has assured that there will be no job losses at its F1 engine factory, which will continue to supply engines for the 2025 season before being repurposed as a center for the development of Renault and Alpine road cars. The creation of the Hypertech Alpine center is deemed crucial for Alpine’s growth strategy and the broader innovation strategy of the Group, as stated by Alpine CEO Philippe Krief.
While the F1 chassis will still be developed at the team’s factory in the UK, the move to switch to Mercedes-Benz engines will bring significant cost savings to Alpine. The team has struggled with poor results on the track in 2024, currently ranking ninth out of 10 constructors despite having substantial resources as a factory-backed outfit.
In an effort to revitalize the team, controversial figure Flavio Briatore was appointed as an ‘executive advisor’ in June 2024, reporting directly to Renault CEO Luca de Meo. Briatore has initiated a restructuring process by replacing the Team Principal and introducing new talent to the team, such as 36-year-old Brit Oliver Oakes.
As part of the changes, Australian driver Jack Doohan will join Alpine full-time, replacing Esteban Ocon, and partnering with Pierre Gasly in the 2025 F1 season. This decision marks a departure from the team’s French identity, as it moves towards a more international lineup.
Renault has a rich history in F1, with numerous Constructor’s titles and drivers world championships won with its engines in different eras of the sport. The team has been a pioneer in turbocharged engines and has enjoyed success as an engine supplier to various winning teams and drivers over the years, including multiple Constructors and Drivers championships.
