Alpine set to abandon Renault engine and switch to new supplier for 2026

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Alpine have been debating whether to continue with having a Renault power unit in their Formula 1 car for a while now.

There have been protests from employees against a possible decision to shut operations at their famous Viry-Chatillon factory.

At the Italian Grand Prix, they staged a protest against proposals to shift staff to non-F1 work, in the event that Alpine no longer use the Renault engine from 2026.

It was only a few years ago that the manufacturer was handing out engines to customer teams like Red Bull, so it would be huge news to see the operation end entirely.

Alpine engine vote to have ‘serious consequences’

According to a report from AUTOhebdo, Alpine are set to vote on the side of abandoning the Renault engine and to switch to being a customer from 2026.

Mercedes have been mentioned as a possible option for them to link up with, but there is no confirmation of a move yet.

Besides themselves, the Silver Arrows already offer engines to Aston Martin, Williams, and McLaren, but the former is set to switch to Honda power in 2026.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton issues statement after criticising ‘risky’ Mercedes strategy

That does mean that a potential slot as a customer could be open, but it’s up to Toto Wolff and the Mercedes hierarchy as to whether they would open to supplying Alpine.

AUTOhebdo posted on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating that the move will have ‘serious consequences’.

Renault hasn’t had the easiest of times with its V6 engine

Ever since the start of the turbo-hybrid era in 2014, Renault has been behind its rivals with the 1.6 litre V6 power unit.

After winning four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013, their new iteration started life incredibly unreliably in 2014.

It has failed to improve to the standard of the likes of Ferrari or Mercedes, and even Honda, who started life in F1 miserably back in 2015, have improved to be better.

READ MORE: McLaren’s ‘very clever’ regulation exploit that made Red Bull unhappy shown off at Singapore

The French engine lacks power and in the past, has had reliability woes which seem to have improved through the years.

A switch to Mercedes power could cost them more, and leave staff unsatisfied, but it could also reap performance benefits.