Ocon voices sadness as Renault phases out F1 engines.
As a French driver, Esteban Ocon has described Renault’s decision to discontinue its Formula 1 engine division as “a sad situation.”
Renault was expected to join the ranks of Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, Red Bull Powertrains-Ford, and Audi as an engine supplier from 2026 when the new generation of engines, featuring a 50/50 split between electric power and an internal combustion engine running on fully sustainable biofuels, will come into play. However, Renault has abandoned its engine project at Viry.
The French manufacturer has terminated its 2026 F1 engine project, meaning its Alpine team will stop using the Renault engine after the 2025 season and will transition to being a customer team from the following year when new chassis regulations will also be introduced alongside the new engines.
Ocon, who achieved his sole F1 victory to date with the Renault engine at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, was asked for his views on Renault’s decision today in Austin. Ocon will leave Alpine at the end of the season to join Haas F1 from the next campaign.
“Yes, as a team driver, it’s difficult to comment on this, but as a Frenchman, you know, a fan of this sport, and as a French driver, all I can say is that it’s a sad situation,” he said.
“It’s very sad for French motorsport, but I have nothing more to add.”
With six rounds remaining in the 2024 F1 season, Alpine is in 9th place in the constructors’ championship with 13 points, three points behind Williams, having failed to score in the last three races.
When asked if the Circuit of the Americas should be a good track for the Alpine A524, Ocon responded: “I mean, we’re obviously coming off a series of difficult races with the car’s performance. It’s very clear.”
“Unfortunately, we maximized the potential in Singapore, but you know, it wasn’t enough for us to score points.”
“Pierre will benefit from the upgrades. I will be running the old specification this weekend, and we should, hopefully, have the updates for the upcoming races.”
“So yes, we are looking forward to seeing what this will bring, you know, to the team’s performance, and we hope that it will put us in a better position to finish the season.”
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Unchanged on his A524 in Austin – Ocon Expresses ‘Sadness’ Unchanged on his A524 in Austin – Ocon Expresses ‘Sadness’
