Alain Prost spoke about Renault’s future in Formula 1 as an engine manufacturer following their exit at the end of 2025.
Renault’s history in F1 is extensive, taking part in the series as an engine manufacturer largely uninterrupted from 1977 to 2025. Though it changed names and faces throughout the eras, its participation in the sport always returned up until the modern era, where it produced the engines for Alpine.
However, despite its ongoing participation in the sport, it was announced that 2025 would be its last season as an engine manufacturer, with Alpine shifting to become a Mercedes customer.
This decision came on the back of a slow decline in performance from their engines over the years. At first, in the new regulations, Alpine Renault F1 team was watched with hope, finishing the season fourth.
Yet, it was a quick decline. For 2023 and 2024, they dropped to sixth, and in 2025, they plummeted to last. It was a disappointing end to an illustrious history in the sport.
A long history
Alain Prost knows Renault well. After making his F1 debut with McLaren, Prost moved to Renault for the 1981 season. He remained with the team for three seasons, where he almost took his maiden title in ’83.
While he wasn’t able to become a champion with Renault, he later took his final title with Williams-Renault in 1993. In light of their departure from F1, Prost spoke about his relationship with the French manufacturer at Motor Sport’s celebration of the Frenchman’s 1985 season.
“I was involved with Renault when it was the [racing] school and then Formula Renault – it’s about 50 years ago,” he said.
“So I always follow. I always work for them – even today, I still do things with them.”
Alpine previously split working between their British Enstone base and their Viry-Chatillon engine base in France.
However, with the manufacturer leaving the series, the Viry Chatillon base is being redirected to support Alpine’s Hypercar programme in WEC.
“It’s a shame. I understand the decision in terms of the financial aspect. Especially when you’re running a team based in France. The cost is more than in countries like England, for example.
“Obviously, I’m very sad, because it’s a long history, it looks like they disappear like this, nobody talks about that.
“But if I’m here today, it’s because of them. Because of the history of what they have done in motor sport, in F1 – we are part of the history.”
Despite Renault previously being able to take years out of F1 and return, Prost believes that the new regulations will make the process of a triumphant return far less likely.
“It’s going to be very difficult for them to come back,” he said. “Maybe in a long time, but it’s too difficult. Maybe in another way.”
A complex relationship with Renault
It has been a tumultuous relationship for the Frenchman and Renault. He was fired from the team after failing to clinch the title in ’83. Yet, when he returned to the team, he was lauded after taking victory in the Renault-powered Williams in his final season.
His relationship with the team then expanded beyond F1. He was one of the key people involved in the creation of Renault’s Formula E team, e.dams. With his son going on to race and win for said team.
In 2016, He moved into an advisory role for the F1 team, but it was short-lived, facing disagreement within the team, thought to be with the CEO at the time, Laurent Rossi.
“I have refused the offer made to me in Abu Dhabi for the 2022 season because of a personal relationship, and I was right!” Prost said on social media at the time, also accusing it of having “no respect”.
“Rossi’s desire is to be alone, not to be polluted by anyone,” said Prost. “He told me he no longer needed advice. There is a real desire to put a lot of people on the sidelines.”
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