Pierre Gasly welcomes new Renault Group CEO Francois Provost after the surprise departure of Luca de Meo, as focus fully on F1 2026.
Renault saw another departure last month after its Group’s CEO de Meo left his role after overseeing one of the biggest change in the French manufacturer’s F1 brigade. Having been a power unit supplier for long, under his watch, they decided to let go the programme from 2026 onward.
It didn’t happen without any controversy, as French union showed their displeasure which extended to F1 races as well. De Meo and co announced a salvage programme in the meantime to satisfy the Government laws and not be sued by various employees of the company.
But de Meo has now left his role, and Renault promoted Provost to the role on July 30 after his 23 years of service in various capacities. Alpine driver Gasly has welcomed the move, with full focus on 2026, when the team joins hands with Mercedes to become its customer F1 team.
“It’s really clear,” said Gasly. “He’s been a very long time working in Renault. He knows the DNA of the group, of the team. He’s been part of it for all these years when Renault has been part of Formula 1. He’s fully committed to the sport, to the Formula 1 team.
“Obviously wants to see performance, and he’s backing everybody in the team. Looking forward to the future with the team. We know where we’re heading. We know ’25 is a compromise we decided to take at the start of the year to focus on ’26. Hopefully, it’s going to pay dividends next year.”
Renault, meanwhile, reiterated its F1 commitment despite the unrelenting rumours. Having lost Oliver Oakes, Alpine is gearing up to welcome Steve Nielsen in Managing Director role from September 1 of 2025, where he will work alongside Flavio Briatore to head the outfit.
“Formula 1 is part of our core strategy for Alpine, and this I do not intend to change,” said Provost in a statement from Renault Group. “The unique priority for the Formula 1 team is performance, improved performance this year and, of course, moreover, to succeed in 2026 with the new car. This is a unique priority given to Formula 1.”