Alpine has confirmed a new engine partnership for the 2026 Formula 1 season, announcing that it will switch to Mercedes power units, ending its long-standing relationship with Renault. The multi-year agreement, which will run at least until the end of 2030, will see Alpine also adopt Mercedes-supplied gearboxes starting in 2026. However, the team is exploring the possibility of designing its own gearboxes in-house from 2027.
Why was Renault axe happen?
The decision to move away from Renault’s engine program follows years of underperformance from the French manufacturer’s power units, which have struggled to compete with the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda. This change in strategy is part of a broader shift at Alpine, which has been recalibrating its focus after failing to meet its previous F1 goals.
When Renault rejoined F1 as a team owner in 2016, it set an ambitious target to compete for world titles within five years. However, after rebranding as Alpine in 2021, the team revised its goals, targeting success within 100 races. That vision was further altered after the departure of CEO Laurent Rossi in 2023, sparking a series of managerial changes at Alpine, including the appointment of former Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore as an executive advisor. Briatore’s restructuring has led to a significant reduction in staff at Alpine’s Enstone base, with the team’s workforce shrinking by 300 people, from 1,150 to 850.
In the engine supplier agreement, Alpine stated, "Alpine and Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains, and Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix have entered into power unit and gearbox agreements from the start of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The multi-year agreement will see Mercedes-Benz supply Alpine with power units for the duration of the new regulation era, from 2026 until at least 2030."
Despite these internal challenges, Alpine has shown signs of improvement on track. After a difficult start to the season, the team secured a surprise double podium finish at the 2023 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly finishing second and third, respectively. This result propelled Alpine from ninth to sixth in the Constructors' Championship, potentially boosting the team’s prize money by around $30 million if they maintain their position.
An Alpine spokesperson said: "The organisation of the F1 team at Enstone has been under review in order to optimise the resources and put the team in a position to work efficiently and strategically, to quickly recover performance and compete again at the sharp end of the grid. As part of that review process, there are areas of the Enstone team that are going under a restructure, with the sole aim of putting the right organisation in place for the team’s future success."
New Deal Dynamics
With the Mercedes deal in place, the German manufacturer will supply engines to four teams starting in 2026, with Alpine taking over the stock previously allocated to Aston Martin. Aston Martin, in turn, has confirmed a new partnership with Honda, which is returning to F1 after a three-year absence.
While Alpine’s 2023 season has been challenging, the team currently sits sixth in the Constructors' Championship, with three races remaining. The double podium in Brazil could signal the team’s potential for more success in the future.
