Alpine F1 assures stability with no team sale or layoffs, as Famin outlines a steadfast future.
Double Curtain Call at Alpine F1.
On one hand, Bruno Famin will leave his role as team director by the end of August and will oversee all other motorsport activities of the Renault group at Viry-Châtillon.
On the other hand, Enstone will no longer develop power units for F1, marking the end of a very long chapter.
Currently, the only conclusion at Renault-Alpine is one of failure. The famed “Plan” has failed, and the power unit was never properly integrated with the team’s chassis.
Bruno Famin, a long-standing member of the Enstone and Viry teams, admits this failure — both collectively and personally.
This presents an opportunity for Famin to advocate for the work done at Viry for the next engine regulations, despite this significant setback.
“Firstly, let’s not forget that the guys at Viry are doing a fantastic job. We all know that since 2014, we haven’t had the best engine at Viry, but it’s one of the engines that has improved the most since then. And today, we are not quite at the top, but the improvement has been very good.”
“And the work being done at Viry to prepare for the 2026 engine is incredible. We have set a very high target and I am convinced that we can achieve it. The test bench figures are very good. Everyone involved is very committed, very professional, very competent. And it’s a very difficult situation. I think all these people deserve that we dedicate the necessary time to support them in this project.”
“I think the history of this team is quite complex. Everyone knows it more or less. It’s a story of ups and downs, stops and starts.”
“But yes, the reason is very complex and lies in the team’s complex history. But it has nothing to do with the project that was presented to the people at Viry. I think it’s actually a project aimed at giving the Alpine brand even more opportunities to develop, to utilize the incredible skills we have at Viry. And I have no doubt that if this project is confirmed, Enstone will work well with any other manufacturer.”
When will Alpine F1 announce the name of its next engine supplier? Will it be Mercedes, Ferrari… or General Motors?
“It is not for me to answer this question. We must complete the social process at Viry, and this could take a week, it could take two months. We need to finish this process and then, I believe the sooner the better for the team, of course, because everyone at Enstone needs to know how to design and with what to design the 2026 car.”
“The project presented at Viry discusses 2026 and beyond. And currently, of course, we are in discussions with various engine manufacturers. At the moment, of course, nothing is finalized because, again, it’s a project. We must follow… you know, in France, with the unions, we have a very strict social process to adhere to. And we cannot make any decisions until we have completed this process. For that, I mean that we are discussing with certain manufacturers, but we cannot sign anything until this process is completed.”
“This is French labor law, which is quite strict. No, I do not anticipate any delays. The procedure will take a few weeks and will anyway be quite quick. We are following all the mandatory steps and there is no reason not to do things properly. A very important aspect in the project that was presented: each employee will be offered a position. There are no layoffs. We are doing everything within our power to make this very difficult time as painless as possible, because it is still a project, but if confirmed. But we know that these things are never easy.”
Is this a strategic retreat for a greater leap forward?
It marks the end of Renault’s 40-year tenure in Formula 1 as an engine supplier. This may seem like a significant loss for the history of the Renault brand, but Bruno Famin also sees it as an opportunity to make a stronger comeback, in F1 and beyond.
Can Alpine F1 then become more competitive by 2026? Indeed, there is no time to waste in selecting the next engine supplier, as the clock is already ticking…
“We know that for the 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars, the chassis regulations were released just a few weeks ago,” admits Bruno Famin.
“It is now that we must make a decision, because, once again, the person designing the chassis needs to know which power unit he will be using.”
And can a customer team be truly competitive, even with less than optimal engine integration? McLaren F1 certainly proves so this year…
“There is some potential in the development of engine integration into the chassis, but it’s quite theoretical ultimately, because now all engine manufacturers work very closely, very early in the project with the teams, and all integration is incredibly optimized. And if we take an engine from Ferrari or Mercedes, I am quite convinced that all the integration, all the packaging will be very good.”
No sale of the team?
One might also think that the cessation of the engine project in F1 is merely the first step towards selling the team. This becomes more likely. But it is not on the agenda, assures Bruno Famin…
“So to answer the question, no, the Formula 1 project remains a key project for the Alpine brand. It is through Formula 1 that we aim to enhance the global reputation of the brand. That remains, but the project is simply about reallocating resources to better develop the brand while still relying on the pillar of motorsport, and primarily Formula 1, to enhance its notoriety.”
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Famin Confirms: Alpine F1 Team Stays Intact Famin Confirms: Alpine F1 Team Stays Intact. 2024 Famin Confirms: Alpine F1 Team Stays Intact
