Renault confirms F1 powertrain project will end in 2026

Renault has confirmed that the operation of its power units will cease when the current regulations expire and the Alpine Formula 1 team will become a customer entry.

The intention to convert Alpine into a customer team was announced earlier this year, and Renault said at the time that it was in a consultation phase examining various options for the Viry-Chatillon factory, where most of Formula One’s racing is done -Engines are manufactured the last 50 years. Employees protested at the Italian Grand Prix, urging Renault to reconsider as they felt they had made good progress with engine regulations for 2026. However, it has now been confirmed that 2025 will be the final year for Renault power units.

In its place in Viry-Chatillon, Renault has announced it will build a high-tech engineering center called Hypertech Alpine, which will begin operations later this year and “contribute to the development of ultra-high performance vehicles and innovations in cutting-edge technologies.” , for Alpine and Renault Group”. The site changes will result in resources currently allocated to the F1 power unit department being reallocated elsewhere.

Projects being developed at Viry include a future Alpine supercar, battery and new electric motor technologies, the World Endurance Championship (WEC) program and customer motorsports outside of Formula 1.

From a Formula 1 perspective, Renault wants to maintain a form of connection as an observer to learn from the sport’s future technologies by setting up an “F1 Monitoring Unit”.

“As a result of the consultation process with employee representatives, during which constructive discussions were held and an independent assessment was carried out, Alpine management confirms its project to transform the site into a center of engineering and high-tech excellence by the end of 2024,” he said Alpine statement read. “Formula 1 activities in Viry, with the exception of the development of a new engine, will continue until the end of the 2025 season.

“Every employee affected by this transformation project will be proposed a new position within Alpine Hypertech.”

RACER understands that an agreement has been discussed with Alpine for the supply of Mercedes units from 2026, with Mercedes losing Aston Martin as a customer to Honda when the new regulations begin.