Rumours of Renault selling off part of the Alpine F1 team have swirled since their lacklustre start to the season.
The team endured a tough start to the season, turning up to Bahrain with the slowest car on the grid and failing to score points in the first five rounds.
After Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon finished 15th and 16th at the Japanese Grand Prix, the team issued a statement responding to rumours that it could be sold off by the Renault Group due to poor performance.
Since introducing their first car upgrades of the season they have produced better results, their first points coming at Miami and then most recently achieving a double-points finish at the Spanish Grand Prix.
They currently sit seventh in the Constructors’ Championship with eight points, but face a 20 points deficit to Visa Cash App RB. Their form has led to further questions by journalist Andrew Benson, speaking on the BBC Chequered Flag podcast, over whether Renault will continue to fund its F1 operation and what the future holds for the French works outfit.
Renault faces scrutiny over Alpine future
Renault’s engines have been the worst on the grid since the start of the hybrid era in 2014, with them operating at a horsepower deficit of around 20bhp compared to Ferrari, Honda and Mercedes worth several tenths in lap time.
CEO Luca De Meo is reportedly ‘shopping around’ for potential buyers of their engine division, but Benson believes this undermines their credibility in the car market.
“You have to raise questions over Renault’s F1 programme as a whole and what it is trying to achieve. They are trying to promote Alpine as a sub-brand, but they make so few cars,” said Benson.
“What does it say to the marketplace that they are not making their own engines anymore and are going to race in F1 with a Mercedes or Ferrari engine? Does that make you want to buy a Renault sportscar?”
Bruno Famin admits to 2026 engine challenge
The upcoming 2026 engine regulations will be the next big challenge for Renault if it wants to return to the glory years of the mid-00s.
Team principal Bruno Famin admitted they are facing some ‘problems’ at their factory as they tackle the 2026 regulations.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Alpine’s F1 executive adviser Flavio Briatore
It has not won a Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championship since 2006, while they have only won four races in the hybrid era – three of which came from Red Bull before they decided to terminate their contract in favour of Honda.
The team recently appointed ex-team boss Flavio Briatore as executive advisor, in what is seen as a last-gasp attempt at attempting to revive their fortunes. Damon Hill branded the appointment baffling and questioned what he is likely to bring to the underachieving team.
The post ‘What does it say?’: Journalist admits rumoured Renault decision raises questions about commitment to Alpine appeared first on F1 Oversteer.