Alpine are considering ‘negative consequences’ before ditching Renault engines from 2026

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The Alpine Formula 1 team appear to be on slightly firmer ground after a shaky start to the 2024 campaign.

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly started the first race of the season in Bahrain on the back row of the grid but have made steady progress since then.

Gasly’s performance at Zandvoort in particular stood out after reaching Q3 and finishing as the best of the rest behind the drivers from the top four teams.

However, it’s been events off the track that have been the focus of Alpine’s year.

Firstly, the team have decided to part ways with Ocon and have confirmed reserve driver Jack Doohan as his replacement for 2025.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Alpine F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Team principal Bruno Famin was replaced by Oliver Oakes, while Renault CEO Luca de Meo offered Flavio Briatore a chance to return to the paddock as his executive advisor.

De Meo has spoken to Autosport about some of the biggest challenges facing Alpine over the coming weeks and months.

The future of Renault’s Formula 1 engine division is up in the air with Alpine linked with using Mercedes power units going forward.

There were protests from Viry-Chatillon works at Monza over the potential decision and De Meo has outlined one of the negative connotations that’s making him re-think his strategy.

‘Negative consequences’ of ditching Renault F1 engines forcing De Meo to re-think strategy

Speaking about the pros and cons of ending Renault’s power unit project, De Meo said: “If we make a purely financial analysis of how much it costs to make a 2026 power unit in-house and how much you could save with a customer engine, the difference becomes enormous.

“So, whoever looks at the numbers can only sense what may be the opportunity to go into the new F1 regulations with a more competitive but less expensive project.

READ MORE: What people at Alpine’s Enstone factory have been told about the potential sale of their F1 team

“Having said that, I would add that the proposal is on the table, but there has been no decision by the board. This is one of the aspects that is being discussed with so many other important points on how we will approach F1 in the future.

“Here’s where so many other factors come into play that will lead to a decision: what does marketing think? What would be the negative consequences of this choice vs a huge financial saving?”

“This is the financial picture and it has to be cross-referenced with everything else. The ambition is to build a competitive project and so there are many factors involved in the choices that will have to be weighed up very carefully.”

Alpine Formula 1 future at risk with Renault engines on the line

Senior Alpine figures have been quick to deny any rumours that the team could potentially be for sale.

However, it’s almost unheard of that a team switches from being a factory team to a works team as it gives them less control over their own destiny.

Alpine have struggled with their Renault engine for years and it makes sense if an offer is on the table to use a Mercedes power unit to go for it.

But it also suggests an unwillingness from Renault to invest in their own resources to reach the top of the sport once again under their own steam.

With the likes of Andretti trying to find a way into F1 and Hitech’s new connections to Alpine through Oakes, it’s hard to back the French outfit’s chances of still being on the grid in the long term.