‘Many doubts’ over future of 184-race F1 team after ‘first step’ towards potential sale

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Alpine aren’t the only Formula 1 team who could be headed for a potential sale. One of their midfield rivals may also have taken a step in that direction.

With the support of veteran advisor Flavio Briatore, Renault CEO Luca de Meo has scrapped their F1 engine programme. Alpine are set to use Mercedes engines instead from 2026 onwards.

Andretti could target Alpine if they have to buy an existing team rather than setting up their own operation. Liberty Media blocked their attempt to join the grid in either 2025 or 2026.

Alpine could also become Hitech-Mercedes, with the presence of Oliver Oakes potentially key. Oakes, the founder of Hitech, has just taken over as the Enstone outfit’s team principal.

They’re stepping back from F1, partially at least, at a time when many other manufacturers are keen to jump in. Andretti, for instance, are backed by Cadillac, a subsidiary of General Motors.

Rivals Ford will partner with Red Bull from 2026, applying their badges to the team’s power units. And perhaps most notably, Audi have bought the Sauber team ahead of their works entry.

Toyota partnership raises major questions over Haas’ future in F1

Toyota became the latest motoring giant to join the fray last week when they announced their technical partnership with Haas. At first, the scope of the deal is limited.

They will grant Haas access to their facilities, personnel and young drivers, but Ferrari will stay put as engine supplier until at least the end of 2028. Toyota have been keen to play down the significance of their return, 15 years after they withdrew their own team.

But, according to Formu1a.uno, this hasn’t stopped ‘many doubts’ emerging over Haas’ F1 future. There are suspicions that this is the ‘first step towards a sale to Toyota’.

It also raises long-term questions over their relationship with Ferrari. Haas have been reliant on the Scuderia since they joined F1 eight years and 184 races ago.

The driver Haas could sign for 2026 after agreeing Toyota deal

Haas could adopt a new name in the coming years if Toyota wish to become title sponsors. This would allow Gene Haas to keep his name on the grid, and Akio Toyoda to reap the marketing benefits of F1 in a risk-averse manner.

It would be similar to Alfa Romeo’s relationship with Sauber. The Italian brand lent their name to the team for six seasons, while Ferrari still supplied their engines, before Stake and Kick took over ahead of Audi’s arrival.

For Haas, the Toyota deal may simply be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Given that it elevates their long-term potential, it may in fact offer a greater incentive to stay in F1.

It should also improve their pulling power next time they enter the driver market, even if they’ll be satisfied with Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman for now. Peter Windsor reckons Haas could sign Yuki Tsunoda for 2026, which for Toyota would represent a major victory over rivals Honda.