Renault has officially announced that it will cease producing power units for Formula 1 ahead of the upcoming 2026 regulation changes.
As a result, Alpine, Renault’s factory F1 team, will need to secure a new engine supplier for the 2026 season. The team is reportedly in talks with Mercedes to become a customer for their power units. Renault’s Viry-Chatillon facility, traditionally dedicated to F1 engines, will instead focus on advancing other technologies within the company. This rebranded facility, Hypertech Alpine, will begin operations later this year and support various projects.
These projects include the development of an upcoming Alpine supercar, research into electric motors and battery technologies, and ongoing involvement in other motorsport efforts like the World Endurance Championship (WEC). Additionally, a dedicated F1 monitoring unit will be established to stay up to date with technical advancements in the sport.
Despite the transition, Renault has maintained that there will be no job cuts at the Viry-Chatillon site. This position was reiterated in the company’s latest announcement. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief described the move as a “turning point” for the facility, emphasizing that racing remains a core part of Alpine’s identity.
Renault has been a major presence in Formula 1 for the past five decades. However, rumors of its F1 engine program’s future have been circulating for months. Workers at the Viry-Chatillon facility had unsuccessfully lobbied Renault to reconsider its plan to reduce its F1 involvement.
The manufacturer has struggled to keep up with leading competitors like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda (now Honda RBPT) since the introduction of the current V6 hybrid turbo engines in 2014. The power unit regulations were frozen in 2022, which Alpine claims has left them at a disadvantage.
Renault’s F1 Engine History
Renault made its debut in Formula 1 during the 1977 season, introducing a revolutionary 1.5-liter turbocharged engine when competitors were using naturally aspirated engines with twice the capacity. Renault’s innovation eventually paid off, as turbo-powered F1 cars began winning championships within five years.
Though Renault left the sport after the 1985 season without securing a title, it remained as an engine supplier for another year. It made a triumphant return in 1989 with Williams, dominating the championship with V10 engines from 1992 to 1997, before another exit.
In 2002, Renault returned to F1 as a full constructor by taking over the Benetton team, and within four years, the team secured back-to-back championship titles. However, the “Crashgate” scandal in 2009 led to Renault’s exit once again.
The manufacturer continued to supply engines, powering Red Bull to four consecutive titles at the end of the V8 era. However, Renault’s failure to provide a competitive engine during the hybrid power unit era led Red Bull to switch to Honda in 2019.
