The Renault Formula 1 team is set to be rebranded as Alpine for the 2021 season, with an announcement expected this weekend.
Renault has a lengthy history in Formula 1, peaking with back-to-back world titles in 2005/06, and has won several championships as an engine supplier.
It returned to the series as a full works team for 2016, taking over the ailing Lotus squad, and has competed in the midfield for the past few years.
Renault’s participation in Formula 1 had previously been in doubt amid wider group struggles and the project was assessed as part of a wider group evaluation.
But it pledged its long-term future to Formula 1 and signed up to the new Concorde Agreement that covers the 2021-25 seasons.
Groupe Renault installed a new CEO in Luca de Meo in July, taking on the role on a permanent basis, following a tumultuous period in the aftermath of the Carlos Ghosn scandal.
Renault announced a restructure of its company on Thursday and the Alpine brand is set to play a large role in De Meo’s plans.
Current Renault Sport Racing chief Cyril Abiteboul, who also fronts the Formula 1 team, has been tasked with forming a plan for Alpine.
It is understood that part of this involves rebranding Renault’s Formula 1 team as Alpine, in order to promote the brand on a wider scale.
Renault purchased the Alpine brand in 1973 and has featured more prominently in rallying and endurance competition, most recently with the Signatech squad in LMP2.
It would be the fourth rebranding of a Formula 1 team in three years, with Sauber taking on Alfa Romeo’s name for 2019, and Red Bull relaunching Toro Rosso as AlphaTauri for 2020, while Racing Point will be known as Aston Martin for 2021.
Currently Alpine only manufactures one car, the A110, but there are plans to launch several new models over the coming years.
