Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has announced that the team will reveal its power unit partners for the 2026 Formula 1 season by the end of this year. Alpine, which currently uses factory Renault engines, will transition to a customer team once the new F1 regulations take effect. The shift away from Renault power units has led to staff at Alpine’s Viry-Chatillon engine base moving to other projects, even though development on their 2026 engine had already begun.
This change in direction has not been without controversy, as those involved in the Renault engine program have expressed strong opposition to the idea of becoming a customer team. However, Alpine will have several options for future power units, with Mercedes rumored to be the leading contender. Other manufacturers, including Ferrari, Red Bull Ford Powertrains, Honda, and Audi, will also be available as potential partners when the new regulations come into effect in 2026.
Oakes, who took over as team principal in the summer of 2024, emphasized that while no decision has been made yet, discussions are actively underway. He indicated that Alpine’s priority is to secure the best possible engine for their cars moving forward. The team expects to finalize its choice and make an official announcement before the end of the year. Oakes’ lighthearted comment on his arrival at the team reflected the challenges he has faced, joking about the pressure being a “baptism of fire.”
Alpine has had a tough 2023 season, currently sitting in ninth place in the Constructors’ standings. They have been overtaken by Williams in recent races, which has compounded their struggles. Despite these difficulties, Oakes remains optimistic about the team’s potential. He pointed out that before the summer break, the team was competitive, particularly in races like Spa and Zandvoort, where they were battling for points, but the last few races have been humbling.
Looking ahead, Oakes is hopeful about recent upgrades to the car, which Alpine introduced in Austin. He stated that driver Pierre Gasly was generally pleased with the improvements, though drivers always push for more. Oakes believes the team is on the right path and is eager to see how the upgrades will perform on the track, with hopes of turning their season around in the coming races.