Alpine's Switch to Mercedes Engines Could Happen in 2025
Jul.24 - According to reports, Renault is now all-but confirming that that it is close to scrapping its Formula 1 engine program altogether.
As is now emerging from France, Alpine's speculated and sensational move from works Renault power to a customer supply of Mercedes engines could actually take place as early as the start of the 2025 season.
"An extraordinary (meeting) was held on Tuesday to present a project to transform the Viry site without any job cuts," a source at the team told AFP, referring to Renault's France-based F1 engine factory in Viry-Chatillon.
"This proposal plans to use the resources of the F1 engine program for specific projects such as the development of hydrogen or high-power electric engines that the brand needs to grow."
The source clarified: "There is no decision yet, but it could happen in the coming weeks".
L'Equipe correspondent Erik Bielderman believes the initiative to move away from works Renault engine power occurred "under the impetus of Flavio Briatore," the Alpine team's famous new executive advisor.
Alpine would therefore become customer Mercedes powered for the start of the new regulations cycling beginning in 2026, or even "as early as 2025, provided that the unit can be effectively installed in a chassis not designed for it".
Given that McLaren is currently the fastest car in the field with customer Mercedes power, the news might also help to convince Carlos Sainz to sign up.
With works Renault power at present, Enstone-based Alpine is one of the least competitive teams in Formula 1.
"We have to get back on track," recently-extended team driver Pierre Gasly told Canal Plus after the Hungarian GP.
"There are too many mistakes, too many problems. One day it's the strategy, then it's a hydraulic problem, last week it was the gearbox. I know the team is capable of doing much better.
"I have confidence in them but very clearly, at the moment, there are too many problems."
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And 900 redundancies in the process, excellant The home market in France must be ecstatic, but does it matter? well Yes Imo , but for a few years already some Merc road cars are running Renault engines, which for road cars is ok , but F1, which should be a showcase for Works Teams and Engine Mfrs, is all messed up Aston Martin Honda and Renault Mercedes,Something Ferrari would never do, imagine a Ferrari with a BMW engine its just so wrong
At least Rb is building a British Engine for a British team, yes, yes with help, but all teams have help and for that they should be applauded
Did you not read the part which said the engine factory in France will be kept without any job losses?
Of course, Im just not naive enough to believe everything i read, For example, telling the engine dept , your all going to lose your jobs soon , wouldn't be the smartest thing to do would it.
Even though De Meo clarified earlier this summer that the rumors are unfounded, stranger things have happened in F1, so never say never.
However, in any case, no change for next season, given the relatively short lead time to get everything sorted with A525 well into its design phase with solely Renault PU's needs in consideration, not to mention how long things can generally take during holidays in France, etc.