Alpine is on the verge of being sold

French carmaker Renault seems to be in preparation to sell the Alpine F1 team following the decision to shut down its engine program.

Alpine is on the verge of being sold

Pierre Gasly (via IMAGO)

The Alpine F1 team is one of the four ‘works’ teams on the current grid, i.e. a team which builds its own power units. However, this will change by 2026 after Alpine’s parent company Renault made the call to shut down its power units program altogether.

This move came right after Crashgate mastermind Flavio Briatore rejoined the Enstone team. Renault Chief Luca De Meo brought in Briatore as his Executive Advisor. As such, it became clear that the Renault bosses were reevaluating the position of the F1 team following a disastrous start to the 2024 season.

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Previously, Renault sold a 24% stake in the team to a group of investors including Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds. Now, it seems that the French carmaker is preparing itself for a complete sale of its team before the start of the 2026 regulations.

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Alpine seems to have no real purpose for Renault

Formula 1 is the best marketing tool for carmakers. The exposure provided by the pinnacle of motorsport is second to none, especially with F1’s massive rise in popularity in recent years. However, Renault has failed to extract such commercial benefits in recent years despite focusing solely on its Alpine brand with the Enstone-based team.

Alpine hospitality (via IMAGO)
Alpine hospitality (via IMAGO)

The French team has failed to live up to the expectations on-track with major management changes becoming the norm within the team. Renault seems to be finally running out of patience as it starts to reduce its involvement with the end of the power units division.

The arrival of ex-Hitech boss Oliver Oakes hints that perhaps Hitech GP could be interested in acquiring the team. While Michael Andretti would undoubtedly be looking to have a chance as well. However, it must be noted that Flavio Briatore has denied any claims of Alpine being sold in the near future.

Nevertheless, all signs hint that Alpine will soon be sold to the highest bidder. F1 currently is a sellers’ market and as such, Renault can wait till it gets the right price. However, it would be sad to see the French giant give up on its efforts at the pinnacle of motorsport.

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