F1: Renault to cease engine production after 2025 season
Renault have confirmed its Formula 1 engine production will cease to continue at the end of the 2025 season, Afrosport reports.
The French manufacturer has been rumoured to stop building F1 engines for several months, with struggles in competing with rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and Honda since the V6 hybrid turbo power units were introduced in 2014.
This means Alpine will become a customer from 2026 and are expected to take on Mercedes power units when F1’s new engine regulations kick in.
Meanwhile, it’s facility at Viry-Chatillon will be changed into ‘Alpine Hypertech’ which will be focusing on the manufacturer’s electric motor technology and road car projects.
“Alpine’s management confirms its project to transform the site into a centre of engineering and high-tech excellence by late 2024,” an Alpine statement read per Crash.net.
“Formula 1 activities at Viry, excluding the development of a new engine, will continue until the end of the 2025 season.”
The news out of Alpine with France-based Renault power unit programme to cease operations after 2025 🚨📰#F1 https://t.co/shtjqGJkmh
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 30, 2024
Renault has produced F1 engines for much of the past five decades since first entering the sport in 1977.
It is one of the most successful constructors in F1 history with 10 titles for teams such as Williams, Bennetton and Red Bull Racing. They have also won nine drivers’ championships, helping the likes of Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel among others.
Renault’s own team also won drivers’ and constructors’ title doubles with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006.
