- Renault will no longer build F1 engines after 2025
- F1 power unit team will focus on EV technology, including Alpine supercar
- Alpine supercar due in 2030, possibly with solid-state batteries
A major change is underway at the Viry-Châtillon motorsports factory, located south of Paris, which serves both Renault and its Alpine performance brand.
The location is where Renault develops and manufactures Formula 1 power units currently supplied exclusively to the Alpine F1 team, which is based in the UK and prior to 2021 raced as Renault.
Renault said on Monday that it has ceased development of the F1 power unit at Viry-Châtillon and that it will eventually end production of the current power unit after the 2025 season. The news comes after Renault CEO Luca de Meo, earlier this year, ordered a review of F1’s operation.
This means that Alpine will have to purchase power units from another supplier from 2026, when F1 is expected to present its rules for next generation power units. The team is appointed to turns to rival Mercedes-Benz AMG for future power units.
2023 Alpine A523 Formula 1 racing car
The Viry-Châtillon site will continue to serve Renault and Alpine in other areas of motorsport, for example in the FIA World Endurance Championship and the Dakar Rally. However, there will also be a greater emphasis on the development of road cars, particularly in the area of electric vehicles.
As part of the move, the site will be renamed Hypercar Alpine and will become a new research and development center for Renault and Alpine electric vehicles. including a supercar for Alpine. The supercar was unveiled last year as one of the seven new Alpineswhen the brand also announced its intention to launch in the US in 2027. Alpine’s seven-car lineup will be complete by 2030, the brand said.
Battery development will be key, including solid-state battery technology for high-performance applications such as the Alpine supercar. Alpine in recent years has introduced a pair of Supercar concepts called Alpenglowalthough both featured hydrogen engines.
Around 200 or 300 employees at the Viry-Châtillon site are currently linked to the F1 power unit program. Roles will be offered in the new focus areas, Renault said. A small contingent will still focus on F1 developments to help drive innovation and maintain these knowledge and skills.
