Renault has announced that it will cease its Formula 1 engine programme at the conclusion of the 2025 season, marking the end of nearly five decades of involvement in the sport.
This move comes as part of a broader restructuring within the French car manufacturer’s motorsport division, as it shifts focus towards the development of electric motor and battery technologies.
Renault’s decision will force its Alpine F1 team to source engines from another supplier starting in 2026, with Mercedes widely expected to be the chosen manufacturer.
The transition will coincide with the new technical regulations for F1 engines, further aligning with Renault’s long-term strategic vision for its automotive and motorsport endeavours.
Shifting Focus to Electric Technologies
Renault’s engine facility in Viry-Chatillon, Paris, will now be repurposed to focus on cutting-edge electric technologies, alongside its remaining motorsport programmes.
These include Alpine’s participation in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), as well as Renault’s Formula E and rally-raid activities for its partner brands.
The decision comes after a prolonged period of underperformance for Renault’s F1 engine programme since the hybrid power-unit era began in 2014.
Although the company has a rich history in the sport, with 10 constructors’ and nine drivers’ championships as an engine supplier, its recent results have lagged behind its historical successes.
Renault’s last significant win came with Alpine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, but the team has struggled in recent years, currently sitting ninth in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship standings.
A Legacy in Formula 1
Renault first entered Formula 1 in 1977, making history by introducing the sport’s first turbocharged engine.
Over the years, it became one of F1’s most successful engine suppliers, powering legendary drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, and Sebastian Vettel to world championships.
Renault also secured team title doubles with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006, when it ran its own factory team.
The company has taken occasional breaks from the sport, notably during 1987-88 and 1998-2000, but has otherwise been a constant presence.
However, its recent inability to replicate past triumphs under the hybrid power-unit regulations has been a source of frustration within the team, ultimately leading to the decision to withdraw from engine manufacturing.
Employee Protests and Restructuring
The decision to end the F1 engine programme follows weeks of protests from employees at Renault’s Viry-Chatillon motorsport facility.
The employees had demonstrated at the Italian Grand Prix and held discussions with Renault CEO Luca de Meo, though these efforts did not alter the company’s course.
Renault’s statement confirmed that F1 activities at the Viry base will continue until the end of the 2025 season, after which the factory will transition to Alpine Hypertech, a new structure aimed at retaining employees’ skills and expertise in motorsport engineering.
All affected employees are expected to be offered positions within this new organisation, which will oversee the development of innovative technologies for Renault’s future motorsport ventures.
Alpine’s Commitment to 2024 Season
In response to the news, Alpine’s F1 team issued a statement affirming its commitment to the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
“This is a decision taken at Group level and by Alpine Management. The team remains fully focused on the 2024 FIA Formula 1 World Championship and working hard to deliver the best on-track results for the remainder of the season,” the statement read.
With Renault’s exit from F1 engine manufacturing, the company’s motorsport future now looks firmly focused on electric innovation and endurance racing.