Audi has signed a deal with outgoing Alpine Formula 1 engine partner Mecachrome to become a parts supplier for its in-house power unit.
Mecachrome’s motorsport activities are wide-ranging, from providing in-house engines to Formula 2 and Formula 3, to supporting Alpine’s F1 power unit project and supplying its FIA WEC programme engines.
However, those last two items are set to cease at the end of this year, with Alpine switching to a Mercedes-customer model in F1 and thus bringing its WEC engine programme in to fill the void at Viry-Chatillon.
That left Mecachrome, which supplied Williams and Benetton with re-badged Renault engines in 1998, with a huge hole in its customer base.
“These are decisions that have deeply affected our staff who worked in this sector and who were committed to motorsport,” said Mecachrome CEO Christian Cornille (via The Race).
“This is the second piece of bad news we had to break to them a few days ago when we told them that we had not been able to keep this activity within Mecachrome, as Alpine had decided to take back the endurance business.”
While Mecachrome will continue to supply parts to the Alpine WEC programme, it will no longer help the French marque with parts supply and assembly of F1 power units, naturally.
Mecachrome becomes Audi F1 parts supplier
The Race, along with outlets in French media and F1 reporter Joe Saward, have reported that Mecachrome is partnering with Audi to supply parts to the German marque’s Grand Prix project.
“In the past, we couldn’t work with other teams because we were bound by an exclusive contract with Alpine,” Cornille said.
“As soon as we were released from our obligations, we contacted all the Formula 1 teams. And we managed to convince Audi Sport, which we will be supporting in the manufacture of a number of parts.
“For Alpine, we manufactured parts and assembled engines.
“For Audi, we manufacture parts but do not assemble engines. Nevertheless, this allows us to minimise the social impact on our site in Aubigny.”
The Race adds that Mecachrome is in discussions with other F1 power unit providers to strike deals and one would argue that incoming OEM Cadillac would benefit from its expertise.
How is the Audi power unit project progressing?
Audi is developing its F1 engine in Neuburg, Germany to power its takeover of the Sauber squad.
Nico Huleknberg visited the site last month, and was left “impressed” by the work being carried out.
“The facility demonstrates how seriously Audi takes F1,” he said.
“Everything Audi has done in motorsport has been executed with precision.
“After [Audi Formula Racing GmbH CEO] Adam [Baker] and [CTO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH] Stefan [Dryer] gave me a tour of the factory, I am excited by the progress the team has made on the 2026 power unit.
“It was a pleasure to talk to the people in Neuburg and feel their passion.
“They are all working tirelessly and with dedication to make this project a success.
“I’m proud to be a part of this journey and excited for the years ahead.”
READ MORE – How Sauber boss plans to change team’s mentality amid Audi F1 transition
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