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Alpine are the newest addition to the list of Mercedes engine customers. They have effectively replaced Aston Martin, who will now be powered by Honda.
Flavio Briatore convinced Renault, Alpine’s owners, to shut down their F1 engine facility. The decision to forfeit their works team status was controversial.
But Briatore hopes it will save the team money while also making them more competitive on track. Alpine finished bottom of the 2025 constructors’ standings.
Alpine’s new era in F1 with Mercedes engines begins here. Rate their 2026 livery out of 10!
While exact horsepower figures are unknown, on-track evidence suggests they have been lagging behind rival manufacturers like Mercedes and Ferrari since the sport introduced turbo/hybrid V6 power units in 2014.
Flavio Briatore says Alpine only wanted Mercedes power units
In an interview with Blick, Briatore said he only spoke to Mercedes about a 2026 engine deal.
With Sauber becoming the Audi works team, there was a potential opening at Ferrari, but Briatore had ‘no interest’ in filling it. Newcomers Cadillac will buy their engines from the Scuderia instead.
“There are no more excuses for not delivering,” Briatore said. “I want to discuss things with the best. With the second best? No interest!”
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If a power deficit was previously their ‘excuse’, Briatore has warned Alpine that there’s nowhere to hide this year. He may also feel pressure himself.
After all, Christian Horner is in negotiations with Alpine over an investment deal, and it’s unclear what that would mean for Briatore’s position within the company.
What experts are saying about Ferrari’s 2026 F1 engine after first test
Briatore’s comments underline the supreme confidence about Mercedes’ 2026 engine in the F1 paddock. He made the decision 18 months out from the new regulations, but even then, he was certain that they were ‘the best’ option.
Given the inexperience of Red Bull and Audi and Honda’s production delays, Ferrari are likely ‘the second best’.
After the first test of 2026 in Barcelona last week, the belief is that Mercedes are more ‘advanced’ than Ferrari with their power unit.
While debutants RBPT impressed, there was no surprise about the imperious performances of the Mercedes engine.
However, Mercedes’ power unit is under scrutiny from rival teams, who say they are unfairly exploiting a loophole in the fuel regulations. Toto Wolff is adamant that his team are in full compliance.
Any mid-season clampdown could set back not only the Silver Arrows, but McLaren, Williams and Alpine too.
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