Renault Group’s Commitment to Formula 1 and Alpine Team
The Renault Group continues its dedication to Formula 1 through its Alpine team, viewing it as a powerful marketing tool for its road car endeavors.
CEO Luca de Meo emphasizes that Formula 1 serves as a “boom box” for amplifying the Alpine brand, providing credibility to enthusiasts and showcasing the company’s capabilities.
Alpine CEO Philippe Krief acknowledges that the F1 team operates at a financial loss, but sees it as a crucial investment in promoting the brand and preserving its motorsport heritage.
Under the new leadership of executive advisor Flavio Briatore and team principal Oliver Oakes, the Alpine team is on a positive trajectory after a challenging start to the season.
De Meo reveals that the decision to switch to customer supply of Mercedes-AMG engines, rather than developing their own, will result in significant cost savings of approximately £230 million annually, with minimal impact on lap times.
By halting the development of new 2026 engines, Renault Group can now focus on enhancing the chassis, aerodynamics, and overall performance of the team without the substantial financial burden of engine development.