Renault will no longer develop engines for Formula 1. The French believe it is too expensive, but at the same time refuse to withdraw completely from the sport.
Alpine will continue in Formula 1, although Renault will no longer produce engines. The Renault Group remains committed to Formula 1 through its Alpine team and sees it as an effective marketing tool to promote its passenger cars.
That's what Autocar writes.
Renault group managing director Luca de Meo stated that the sport is a 'loudspeaker' that reinforces Alpine. And that gives the brand something to build on, which gives it "credibility with enthusiasts".
– Formula 1 says something about your ability (as a car manufacturer, ed.), he added.
Alpine's managing director, Philippe Krief, says that the group lost a lot of money on Formula 1. From a purely economic point of view, it was not good business to be at the top of motorsport.
But now, when it has been a long time since Renault has mattered in this regard, director de Meo is right that it is "an investment" and that "it is important to promote the brand that needed Formula 1 and motorsport , as it is part of our DNA".
De Meo also believes that the team was now in better shape under the leadership of new external adviser Flavio Briatore, who was previously expelled from Formula 1, and new team boss Oliver Oakes.
– We had a bad start this year but brought back Flavio. We also added Oli, a younger guy at 36, who I think will be one of the greats in Formula 1. They are singing in one definite direction now."
De Meo also said that the switch to a customer agreement with engines from Mercedes-AMG instead of a factory program saves the Renault group 2 billion kroner a year.
– We have stopped the development of the new 2026 engines.
– With the current rules in Formula 1, you can get a top-competitive engine for less than DKK 160 million per year; for me it cost more than 2 billion kroner a year. We decided to concentrate on other things like chassis, aerodynamics and the team itself.
Read more news from the world of motorsport right here – every day!
