“We’ll have more resources to develop the brand”: Alpine F1 team shares major future update amidst management reshuffle

Alpine F1 boss Bruno Famin, who was recently announced to be stepping away from his team principal duties, shed light on the major restructuring process within the team. He confirmed speculations that the team is considering moving away from its Renault works engine.

Over the past couple of years, the French outfit has undergone numerous hierarchical changes. Ex-Renault boss Flavio Briatore recently joined the organization as an executive advisor and is said to be spearheading their efforts to switch to a customer team ahead of the 2026 F1 regulation change.

Team boss Bruno Famin shed light on the major restructuring project at the team's base in Viry-Châtillon, where the F1 engines are built. Famin added that team personnel have been informed about the new direction the Alpine brand is taking, which could potentially mean the end of the F1 engine division.

"The project which has been presented at the beginning of the week to the staff representative in Viry-Châtillon is to reallocate the resources from one side to another, one side being the development of the Formula 1 power unit, which is being made in Viry, to dedicate those resources and skills to developing new technologies for the brand, for the new product of the brand," he said in the press conference(via FIA.com)

Famin added that if the major project is green-lighted, the French F1 team will transition to a customer team. He noted that the restructuring would allocate more resources to the Alpine brand while giving the F1 team the flexibility to choose from different power units.

"And then, one of the consequences of this project, if it's accepted, would be then for Alpine F1 team to buy a power unit instead of developing its own power unit. And then we'll have more resources to develop the brand and a different power unit to race for the Formula 1 team," he added.

Mercedes, which is set to lose Aston Martin as a customer in 2026, is reported to be the front-runner to become Alpine's engine supplier.

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Bruno Famin shares the timeline for Alpine's engine deal announcement

Alpine F1 boss, Bruno Famin confirmed that the team is negotiating with other power unit manufacturers for the 2026 season. Famin also stated that there are several hurdles to overcome before they can announce their engine deal.

Speaking at the Belgian GP press conference, Famin stated that securing a deal as soon as possible will be a priority. He said (via FIA.com)

"We need to finish the social process in Viry, and it can take one week, it can take two months. We will need to finish that process and after I think the soonest will be the best for the team, of course, because everybody in Enstone needs to know how to design and with what to design the 2026 car, for sure. Very good people there as well, very constructive co-operation with them and that's for the timeline."

The Renault engine division has endured a tough stretch since F1 transitioned to the hybrid era in 2014, losing partnerships with multiple teams over the years. As the sport enters a new era in 2026, Alpine has decided to become a customer team itself.