Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo has said the decision to scrap the French marque’s Formula 1 engine development for the Alpine squad was “heartbreaking.”
After nearly half a century of producing F1 engines, Renault’s Viry-Chatillon facility in France will no longer power the Alpine team after the 2025 season.
Alpine instead will look to a customer engine deal for the 2026 F1 season, with staff at Viry turning to other projects across the Renault brand.
Staff at Viry haven’t taken the news well, but De Meo insists his decision was a difficult one to make.
“It’s a very emotional subject,” De Meo told French publication L’Equipe.
“This decision is the result of months and months of observations.
“I would first of all like to say that I admire the commitment and tenacity of the people at Viry-Châtillon.
“I know they will tomorrow imprint this state of mind in the forthcoming projects.
“They are optimistic, and that’s good news. I like to see them so disappointed with this decision, but unfortunately, in my job, I can’t think like a fan.
“That’s to say, I am a manager. I run a listed company, and I have to rethink the F1 project to finally win, so I am looking for shortcuts to achieve it.
“There, we have become invisible. Two more years like this and the project would completely deflate.
“We have been on a downward slope for three seasons. We had to shake all that up, with a financial logic in parallel.”
READ MORE: How corporate mismanagement has killed off Renault in F1
Alpine F1 is ‘nowhere’
The bottom line for de Meo is that the Alpine F1 team has to make money.
It has to attract sponsors, investors and prize returns and that can only be done with a competitive overall package.
As it stands, the Renault power unit is the weakest in the field, and Alpine is ninth in the Constructors’ standings.
The Anglo-French marque has scored just 13 points across 18 rounds in 2024.
Moreover, Alpine will be able to save approximately $90 million a year on engine development by switching from an OEM to a customer team.
“Fans – except the real enthusiasts, I agree – and sponsors come for a team, not for an engine,” said De Meo.
“Partners sign with McLaren, not with a Mercedes under the hood.
“The F1 public has changed. It has expanded to include young people, women. This new clientele has a different interpretation of this sport.
“We support a driver, a colour, a brand. Not an engine. Alpine, given our ranking is losing bonuses.
“Sponsors are rare. We have a hole in the air. My shareholders know how to count. Alpine has to make money.
“Now, with our P16, P17, we look like jokers. We are nowhere.”
READ MORE: Alpine F1 team principal responds to Renault engine scrap
