The shocking timing of Alpine’s Mercedes engine agreement amid Viry protests

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Alpine has finally confirmed that it plans to ditch its Renault power units at the end of the 2025 season and will reallocate all of its staff at Viry Chatillon.

The plans involved a transformation project of Alpine’s engine division in France, which has built their F1 engines for the last three decades, into ‘Hypertech Alpine’ which will focus on Renault’s electrification technology and upcoming road cars.

All existing employees will be offered a new position within Hypertech after a ‘constructive’ consultation process, according to Alpine after the news that it would shut before the summer break caused outrage.

Romain Grosjean said the situation was ‘sad’ for the manufacturer given its rich history in F1, with Alpine set to move to Mercedes power units from 2026. According to journalist Pedro Fermin on X (formerly Twitter), the deal between the two was struck during a critical period for the manufacturer.

Alpine and Mercedes agreed deal during Monza GP weekend protests

Renault employees were unhappy with the prospect of the closure of the plant, having previously threatened to strike prior to the summer break.

In the weeks leading up to the Italian Grand Prix, several employees of Renault stated their intentions to protest over the weekend.

Employees were urging Renault chief executive Luca de Meo to reverse the decision, having noted that their protest had been caused by a “management team deaf to any dialogue.”

It was also the same weekend that Alpine and Mercedes had agreed to an engine deal for the 2026 season according to Fermin, right at the same time employees were in the stands.

“Alpine and Mercedes have reportedly signed the 2026 engine contract coinciding with the Italian Grand Prix in Monza. Just when the workers of Viry-Chatillon were there protesting for their future…”

Brand new F1 team could be in line to replace Alpine

There is an air of uncertainty surrounding Alpine amid their factory closure. While Renault is happy to continue with its team ownership, there have been rumours of a potential sale after the appointment of Oliver Oakes as team principal.

Although Oakes is not directly facilitating any deal by being team principal, he was part of failed F1 team entry Hietch before joining the French outfit.

READ MORE: Oliver Oakes claims Alpine have ‘performance to come’ as late season upgrades arrive

Hietch could potentially buy Alpine ahead of the 2026 season, which would enable them to join the grid despite their failed attempt during the last tender process.

American-Asia team prospect, LKYSUNZ has also reportedly sent a second draft of its investment proposal to Alpine which could see them part of a potential takeover of the team.