With 2026 changes looming, Alpine exits engine talks and relies on Mercedes to lead the charge under future F1 regulations.
Alpine F1 is stepping away from the engine-building business, but the team has no concerns about how Formula 1 and the FIA are shaping the future of power unit regulations.
Team Principal Oliver Oakes says the direction for 2026 and beyond is clear, and Alpine is fully aligned with the roadmap. Any recent noise about returning to V10 engines? Not even on his radar.
“As a team, we’re happy to see clarity on the 2026 regulations. Things are moving as planned,” Oakes said. “There’s been a bit of distraction lately with various comments, but for us it’s been about staying focused on what we’re doing.”
Oakes added that Alpine sees the long-term planning behind the rules as a positive: “Engine manufacturers have invested heavily in this direction. It’s the right call for the sport.”
With Alpine no longer producing its own power units from 2026, the French team will be leaning fully on its new engine partner—Mercedes. While Oakes remains closely involved with the chassis development, when it comes to the engine side, he’s happy to let Mercedes take the lead.
“It’s good to have open discussions about the future. For us, it’s twofold: we’re tracking what’s happening with the chassis side of the regulations, but on the engine side, we have full trust in Mercedes to push in the right direction.”
Alpine will no longer be a full works team from next season, and this year is very much a transitional one. It didn’t start smoothly, but recent performances in Bahrain from Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan offered signs of progress.
“We know we’ve got a solid car this year, and it’s definitely a transition season,” Oakes said. “But the key thing is that the team is strong. The strategy’s been on point, and we’re working well together. For us, it was always a matter of when—not if—we’d start scoring points.”
- Discover More>Le Mans not on radar yet for McLaren F1 young guns
- Follow us on >FACEBOOK and >TWITTERfor F1 update
Alpine Trusts Mercedes Amid Major Engine Rule Shift Alpine Trusts Mercedes Amid Major Engine Rule Shift
- Albon & Sainz Make Top 10 as Williams Impresses
- Leclerc Closes Gap, McLaren Still Leads in Jeddah
- Hadjar Struggles with Balance, Lawson Eyes Q3 in Jeddah
- Bearman Struggles in Saudi GP Practice, More Work Ahead
- McLaren’s Strong Start: Norris Leads, Piastri Close