Renault's Alpine F1 team: a ‘family jewel' here to stay, affirms CEO Luca de Meo

Dominika Jordan
Oct 4, 2024, 10:29 AM ET

Renault chief executive Luca de Meo has reaffirmed that the Alpine Formula 1 team is not for sale, labelling it as Renault's "family jewel" despite the company's decision to end its engine production after next season for financial reasons.

In a recent interview with L'Equipe, de Meo voiced strong support for Alpine's future, revealing plans to switch to a power unit provided by another manufacturer, most likely Mercedes, from 2026 onwards. This shift will mark the end of nearly fifty years of Renault engines in Formula 1, a legacy that includes powering iconic teams such as Williams, Benetton, their own outfit, and Red Bull to a collective 12 constructors' titles.

De Meo highlighted the costly nature of producing engines at Renault's Viry-Châtillon facility near Paris, where expenses soared to between €200-250 million ($220.5-275.7 million) annually. In contrast, acquiring an engine from another manufacturer would be significantly cheaper, costing under $20 million per season.

Additionally, de Meo pointed out strategic disadvantages in having the team's chassis and engine production based in separate countries. The Alpine team operates out of Enstone in central England, while engine development occurs in France. "At Enstone, they are very independent, used to working under different colours. I should have re-grouped everything but it would have been in England. Hard, no?" explained de Meo.

Clarifying recent rumors, de Meo denied any intentions to sell the Alpine F1 team, despite bringing former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore onboard to invigorate the project. "I read that he was tasked with packaging the project to eventually sell the team. It's completely false," stated de Meo.

"Every fortnight I get calls from financiers, eccentrics, who want to enter F1. They know that after 2026 it will be much more expensive. I won't sell, I'm not stupid. Being in F1 is essential for the Alpine brand. We are in a closed club. It brings credibility for the brand among motor racing fans. We don't need the money," he affirmed.

De Meo also noted that most F1 fans focus more on the teams and drivers rather than the engines, citing the success of championship leaders McLaren, who are thriving and attracting sponsors while using a Mercedes power unit.

Alpine, which counts Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds and NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce among its investors, had become "invisible" on the grid, currently positioned ninth out of ten teams with minimal marketing advantages. "Two more years like that and the project would have deflated completely," de Meo warned.

With these strategic adjustments, Renault aims to revitalize Alpine's competitiveness and visibility in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.

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Renault's Alpine F1 team: a ‘family jewel' here to stay, affirms CEO Luca de Meo

Renault chief executive Luca de Meo has reaffirmed that the Alpine Formula 1 team is not for sale, labelling it as Renault's "family jewel" despite the company's decision to end its engine production after next season for financial reasons.