Renault, one of the most historic names in Formula One (F1), will no longer produce engines for the sport from 2026. This marks the end of almost five decades of engine production and development, a period that saw the French manufacturer leave an indelible mark on the pinnacle of motorsport. The announcement, made by Renault’s Alpine team on Monday, confirmed that from 2026, the team would return to being a customer outfit, sourcing engines from a third-party supplier for the first time since 2015.
This decision follows the restructuring of Renault’s motorsport strategy, and the end of its engine production is emblematic of the company’s broader transformation. While Renault’s withdrawal from engine production represents a significant shift for the sport, it also underscores the challenges the team has faced recently, with Alpine struggling to compete consistently at the highest level. The move reflects both a focus on future technologies for the road car division and a recognition that staying competitive in the evolving world of Formula One demands a new approach.
Renault’s Legacy in Formula One
Renault first entered Formula One in 1977, bringing turbocharging technology to the sport and revolutionizing engine design. Their 1.5-litre turbocharged engine represented a pioneering move in motorsport, and it wasn’t long before Renault engines became synonymous with speed and innovation. By the early 1980s, turbo engines had transformed the landscape of Formula One, and Renault’s presence was pivotal in this shift.
Throughout their time in F1, Renault accumulated an impressive record, winning five drivers’ titles and six constructors’ championships. Some of the sport’s greatest drivers, including Fernando Alonso and Alain Prost, drove Renault-powered cars to championship victories. The most iconic of these moments came in the mid-2000s when Alonso won back-to-back drivers’ titles in 2005 and 2006 with Renault-powered machinery, and the team clinched the constructors’ titles in both years.
Renault engines were not only used by their factory team but also by several customer teams. The partnership with Red Bull Racing from 2010 to 2013 yielded a dominant period for both teams, with Red Bull securing four consecutive constructors’ and drivers’ championships during this time. Sebastian Vettel, driving a Renault-powered Red Bull, became one of the most successful drivers in F1 history. This period reinforced Renault’s reputation as one of the sport’s premier engine manufacturers.
The Shift from Engine Manufacturing
The announcement to stop producing engines for Formula One from 2026 is a seismic shift for Renault. The decision had been hinted at by former Alpine team boss Bruno Famin in July, and it became official this week, marking the end of an era. Renault’s factory in Viry-Chatillon, near Paris, which has been the heart of their engine development operations, will cease its F1 activities by the end of the 2025 season.
The site is set to undergo a transformation, being repurposed as an engineering center for Renault and Alpine’s future road car projects. This shift aligns with Renault’s broader ambitions in the automotive industry, focusing on sustainable energy, electrification, and cutting-edge technology development. With the rise of electric vehicles and sustainable motoring solutions, Renault’s exit from Formula One engine production symbolizes a commitment to future automotive technologies.
Although Renault will no longer be producing engines for F1, their involvement in the sport will not disappear entirely. Alpine will continue to compete in F1, albeit as a customer team. This represents a return to an earlier strategy, as Alpine had previously run as a customer team using Mercedes power units before 2015. For the first time in over a decade, Alpine will rely on another manufacturer for power, marking a significant change in their competitive strategy.
Alpine’s Current Struggles
While Renault’s decision to step back from engine manufacturing is significant, it also reflects the challenges faced by their F1 team, Alpine. Alpine has endured a difficult season in 2023, languishing near the bottom of the constructors’ standings. After 18 races, the team is in ninth place out of ten, with only 13 points to show for their efforts.
The team’s performance has been a disappointment considering their ambitions at the start of the season. Pierre Gasly, who joined Alpine in 2023, has managed to score only eight points, while Esteban Ocon, who secured the team’s only win in the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, contributed five points. Alpine’s difficulties on the track have been compounded by internal struggles, with several senior figures departing the team in recent months.
One of the most high-profile departures is Esteban Ocon, who will leave the team at the end of the 2023 season to join Haas. Ocon has been a key figure at Alpine and was instrumental in their few successes in recent years. His departure leaves a significant gap, which will be filled by rookie Jack Doohan, the son of five-time motorcycle world champion Mick Doohan. Jack Doohan’s appointment signals a fresh start for Alpine, but it remains to be seen whether the team can reverse their fortunes on the track.
Management Changes at Alpine
In addition to the changes in driver personnel, Alpine has also seen a reshuffling of its leadership team. In July, Briton Oliver Oakes took over as team principal, following the departure of Bruno Famin. Oakes’ arrival came shortly after the appointment of Flavio Briatore, one of the most controversial figures in Formula One, as a special supervisor.
Briatore’s return to Alpine (previously known as Renault) is noteworthy, as he led the team during their most successful period in the mid-2000s. His involvement in F1 has not been without controversy, as he was banned from the sport in 2009 following the “Crashgate” scandal, in which Nelson Piquet Jr. was instructed to deliberately crash during the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix to benefit teammate Fernando Alonso. Briatore’s ban was overturned in 2010, and his re-entry into F1 through Alpine could herald a new chapter for the team.
Formula 1’s Future: What This Means for the Sport
Renault’s departure from engine production comes at a pivotal moment for Formula One. From 2026, new engine regulations will come into effect, with a greater emphasis on sustainability and hybrid technologies. These regulations are designed to push F1 closer to achieving its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030, with hybrid engines playing a key role in this transformation.
The new regulations have attracted significant interest from manufacturers, with Audi set to enter the sport from 2026 as a power unit supplier. The shift towards more sustainable technologies could open the door for other manufacturers to join the sport, and Renault’s exit from engine production might be seen as an opportunity for new players to fill the void.
However, Renault’s decision to step back also raises questions about the future of customer teams in F1. Alpine’s return to customer status means that, like many teams on the grid, they will be reliant on a third-party supplier for their power units. This raises the stakes for Alpine, as they will need to carefully choose their engine supplier to ensure they remain competitive under the new regulations.
Conclusion
Renault’s decision to cease engine production for Formula One from 2026 marks the end of an era for both the manufacturer and the sport. For almost five decades, Renault engines have been a fixture in Formula One, winning championships and pushing the boundaries of innovation. However, as the automotive industry evolves towards more sustainable technologies, Renault’s focus is shifting towards electrification and future mobility.
While Alpine will continue to compete in Formula One as a customer team, their struggles in recent seasons reflect the broader challenges facing the sport. With new regulations on the horizon and increased competition from other manufacturers, Alpine’s future in F1 will depend on their ability to adapt to this changing landscape.
As Renault bids farewell to engine production, their legacy in Formula One remains intact. The turbocharged era they pioneered in the late 1970s revolutionized the sport, and their successes over the years have cemented their place in F1 history. Although the engines may fall silent at Viry-Chatillon, Renault’s influence on the sport will be felt for years to come.
