F1: Alpine Workers Likely to Protest at Italian GP Over Renault's Plans to End Engine Production
Renault employees at the Viry-Chatillon factory are reportedly planning a protest to oppose Alpine’s decision to become a Mercedes customer in Formula 1 starting in 2026.
By Divyam Dubey
Renault, the parent company of Alpine, plans to stop developing and producing Formula 1 engines at the Viry-Châtillon factory, including the 2026 engine project. Alpine will likely shift from making its own engines to relying on other suppliers. Rising engine development costs have pushed Renault to rethink its F1 strategy. The company is considering buying engines from rivals like Mercedes, but it hasn’t confirmed a supplier yet. The decision has upset factory employees, who feel their hard work has been dismissed. Reportedly, the 2026 Renault engine was progressing well, making the sudden halt even more surprising for employees and fans. Although there were promises of transfers to other departments with similar challenges, many employees feel the reassigned roles don’t meet the expectations set.
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Alpine Racing France employees plan to protest at the Monza circuit. About 100 employees will split into two groups in the stands, displaying a banner that calls for keeping the French engine in F1. They will wear white with the Alpine logo and black armbands. Supporters in the garage will also use a distinctive sign, likely an armband. The CSE has stressed that the protest should not interfere with Alpine’s on-track activities.
The team operates from Enstone, UK for chassis production and Viry-Châtillon, France for engine development. As discussions continue about potentially switching to Mercedes engines, Renault staff are planning a strike to oppose this change. Alpine, however, insists that no final decision has been made about the future of its French operations.
It is unclear if any jobs will be affected, but Alpine management is actively negotiating with power unit manufacturers, with Mercedes leading the discussions.
The outcome of these talks will significantly impact Alpine’s future in F1 and the fate of its employees.
