Renault officially ending F1 engine programme after 2025

Renault has announced its decision to terminate its Formula 1 engine programme following the conclusion of the 2025 season.

The move will force the Alpine F1 team, Renault's factory outfit, to seek a new power unit supplier from 2026 onwards, with Mercedes widely tipped as the frontrunner.

The French manufacturer's Viry-Chatillon facility, long synonymous with F1 engine development, will shift its focus to electric motor and battery technologies.

This strategic pivot aligns with Renault's broader automotive ambitions and will support the company's remaining motorsport endeavours.

A Legacy of innovation and success

Renault's F1 journey began in 1977 when it introduced the sport's first turbocharged engine, a move that would revolutionize Formula 1 power unit design.

Over the decades, Renault-powered cars have won 10 constructors' titles and nine drivers' championships.

Legends like Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, and Sebastian Vettel drove their machinery to glory.

The company's own team achieved the pinnacle of success in 2005 and 2006, securing back-to-back drivers' and constructors' title doubles with Fernando Alonso at the wheel.

However, recent years have seen a decline in competitiveness, culminating in the decision to exit engine manufacturing.

Challenges in the hybrid era

Since the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014, Renault and its Alpine brand have struggled to match the performance of rivals.

While there have been flashes of brilliance, such as Esteban Ocon's victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, consistency has proven elusive.

The team's slip to sixth in the 2023 championship and their current ninth-place standing in 2024 have undoubtedly factored into this watershed decision.

A spokesperson for Renault Group stated,

"F1 activities at Viry will continue until the end of the 2025 season."

The company has been notably reticent about elaborating on the reasons behind the programme's termination, despite recent protests from employee representatives at the Italian Grand Prix.

Looking to the future

In an effort to retain expertise and maintain innovation, Renault will establish an "F1 monitoring unit" within its newly formed Alpine Hypertech division.

This structure aims to preserve the knowledge and skills cultivated through decades of F1 participation, while redirecting efforts towards emerging technologies.

The Viry-Chatillon facility will now concentrate on Alpine's World Endurance Championship programme, as well as Formula E and rally-raid initiatives for Renault's partner brands.

The company has pledged to offer positions within the new structure to all employees affected by the F1 exit.

With Mercedes emerging as the likely supplier, the team faces a crucial period of transition as it seeks to maintain competitiveness in a post-Renault engine era.

For now, Alpine remains committed to the current campaign, with a team statement asserting,

"The team remains fully focused on the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship and working hard to deliver the best on-track results for the remainder of the season."