Mercedes Formula 1 Team Principal Toto Wolff all but confirmed discussions have been held with Alpine regarding a power unit supply deal in 2026.
Reports emerged last month that Alpine had plans to scrap its Viry F1 power unit operation for 2026 and seek out a customer engine deal for the new regulations instead.
“And about the rumours, we just don’t comment on the rumours,” was Alpine Team Principal Bruno Famin’s comment during the Spanish Grand Prix Team Representatives press conference.
“We owe a lot of respect to everybody in Viry working on that project and the worst thing would be to comment on the rumours,” he added.
An absence of comment was not a denial however and when Wolff was asked during Friday’s British Grand Prix press conference to discuss whether talks between Mercedes and Alpine had taken place, the Austrian revealed there was truth behind the rumours.
“You know, it’s a, I think, complicated situation because we like the thought of replacing Aston Martin with another team because of the sheer learning you’re doing,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think we’re set up as an organization that the more power units you use, the better it is in terms of accelerating some of the developments or the reliability. So, this is where it is.
“[Talks] didn’t go beyond the point of exchanging opinions, you know, exploratory discussions.
“I think Alpine will take a decision, [if] they want to continue with their Formula One engine program or not and only when they have taken that strategic decision, we will dive into our agreements.
“But we’re open-minded, and that’s what we have told them.”
Wolff shared the Friday press conference sofa with McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Williams Team Principal James Vowles and both of their respective Formula 1 teams enjoy a long-term partnership with Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP).
When asked how he felt about Alpine becoming a Formula 1 engine customer of Mercedes, Brown was nothing but positive.
“What’s good for HPP is as good for McLaren as far as we’re concerned,” he said.
“They’ve been an awesome partner to work with. So, if it adds value to their power unit proposition, then we’re all for it.
“As far as decision timeframe, I think the sooner you can make a decision on any decision that you make, it’s just better time for preparation.”
Brown argued that Alpine would need to make a decision before the 2024 summer break in order to prepare appropriately for the 2026 season, but Wolff said “that’s far too complicated and a long-lasting, impactful decision for HPP to make.”
Vowles was also looking at the situation with a positive outlook, as well as a competitive one, noting how Williams’ advanced collaboration with Mercedes on its 2026 power unit means that Alpine would be playing catch up in the event they joined as the German marque’s fourth customer.
“The more power units you have in circulation, the more learning you have,” the Williams Team Principal said.
“But I think it’s also fair to say, I’m not sure where McLaren and Mercedes are, but from our perspective, we have been working alongside HPP in order to get the concept right for 2026 already for many, many months.
“So, whatever you do, you’re going to be six to 12 months behind the three other teams. That’s quite penalising in the grand scheme of things.
“It doesn’t mean it’s unachievable, but there’s going to be areas where you’re going to be compromising on.
“There’s a tremendous amount of work getting ’26 right, and the smallest decision on layout can actually have quite a large impact.”
With the 2026 season less than two years away, Alpine will need to come to a decision fast in order to prepare either its own power unit, or become accustomed to Mercedes’ offering, in a manner sufficient enough to be competitive.
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