F1 team bosses discuss about the loss of Renault as a power unit supplier amid idea for Alpine to go the customer route.
The news of Renault ditching its power unit programme from 2026 onward did surprise a bunch but not too many considering the difficulties the French manufacturer has been into since the hybrid formula. They are studying the customer route.
Renault had already signed a deal to be one of the manufacturers’ from 2026 onward which will see influx of new OEMs. While they will pull out as a power unit manufacturer, they will continue to run the F1 team to promote its Alpine brand.
At this juncture, Mercedes seems to be the firm favourite to provide power units to Alpine, but nothing has been firm. Renault is awaiting to fulfil the French law before any step, but rival F1 team bosses have expressed their sadness to lose a manufacturer.
Here’s some of the F1 team bosses –
Laurent Mekies: “I think it’s always a bad news when you lose an OEM. And of course, from what Bruno is saying, the OEM will stay as a team, but obviously, one of the big targets of these new regulations in 2026 was to attract more OEMs. So ultimately, if it goes as Bruno said, it means that we’ll get plus one with Audi and minus one with Alpine. So I don’t think it’s a good news. However, it comes, luckily, at a time where there is many manufacturers in Formula 1. So I would say that the sport can well afford this change. But it’s never a good news when we lose a PU manufacturer.”
Frederic Vasseur: “I’m more focused on the people of Renault. I know very well the company that I spent years with them. I started my career in 1992 with Renault and I’m profoundly attached to Renault and I think it’s a shame.”
Alessandro Alunni Bravi: “I fully agree with Fred, because I think in this moment that is, of course, critical, and I think we can share this feeling with Bruno, people are important and we need to be focused on them. Then for me, what I think is also maybe something to understand, it seems that this is a decision that is not linked, of course, to the new PU regulation or to the trajectory that Formula 1 is taking towards 2026. I think that the PU regulations are very attractive for new manufacturers and of course Audi is the perfect example that thanks to this new regulation there is an interest from the automotive, you know, to be in Formula 1 because it’s the pillar of the technology and the best, you know, testing bench for the future mobility technical solutions. So I think that is something different from the decision from Renault. And I think as a Formula 1, we need to be clear on this, you know. Sometimes it can happen. But now, as Fred said, is important the people. And I hope that the project that Bruno is developing will go forward because Bruno himself and the people at Viry-Chatillon that I also know personally deserve.”
Christian Horner: “I’m always sad to see an engine manufacturer go. Viry has been involved in Formula 1 for many, many years. I understand they have other projects that they are involved in. They supplied engines to us for many years. So we know quite a lot of the people there.”