Mercedes sign agreement with rivals despite massive F1 protest against.....

Mercedes sign agreement with rivals despite massive F1 protest against move

Alpine has secured a groundbreaking agreement that will see the Enstone-based Formula 1 team switch to Mercedes power units and gearboxes starting from the 2026 season. This move marks a significant shift for the French manufacturer, which has long been associated with Renault’s engine program. Initially returning to the sport in 2016 as a Renault works team, Alpine’s continued reliance on Renault engines at its Viry-Chatillon base has now come under scrutiny due to mounting financial pressures and subpar engine performance.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Alpine confirmed the deal with Mercedes. The partnership will see Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains supply Alpine with both power units and gearboxes for the upcoming 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship. The team emphasized, however, that despite this transition, they remain committed to delivering the best possible performance in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, suggesting that their focus is still on immediate competitive success.

This decision is expected to have mixed reactions within the Alpine organization. The engineers and staff at the Viry-Chatillon facility, who have worked diligently on developing and refining Renault’s F1 engine project, may feel disappointed. They have been actively lobbying to preserve the in-house engine program, a situation exacerbated by tensions with Renault CEO Luca de Meo throughout 2024. The shift to Mercedes power