Deploy Folding Table of contents
Luca de Meo, the CEO of Renault, has taken a stern stance regarding the Alpine team, which operates under the umbrella of the French automotive giant. Recently, Renault announced its decision to cease the production of Formula 1 engines, a move that has left many employees at the Viry-Châtillon factory disheartened. De Meo justifies his decision by claiming that Alpine has failed to deliver satisfactory results in recent years, stating, “The team is embarrassing itself,” he stated emphatically.
Alpine’s Current Struggles
In an interview with the French sports newspaper L’Équipe, De Meo expressed the emotional toll of this decision on both the team and himself. “It’s a highly emotional topic, even for me,” he remarked. “I feel saddened by this, but it is the culmination of months of careful observation. Nonetheless, I cannot afford to think like a fan in my position. I am a manager overseeing a publicly traded company, and unfortunately, that means I must reevaluate the Formula 1 project if we are to succeed.”
The Need for Change at Renault
“We need to assess what can realistically be altered in the short term,” De Meo continued in a serious tone. “In recent years, the team has faded into obscurity. If this trend had continued for another two years, the entire project would have spiraled out of control.” He pointed to the unsatisfactory performances over the previous seasons, noting, “We have experienced three seasons of decline. It was imperative that we took action. Fortunately, most fans ultimately come for the racing team rather than just the engine.”
Financial Concerns and Limited Results
De Meo further explained that Alpine’s lack of success in recent years made it unsustainable to maintain an independent engine manufacturing facility. Consequently, the Renault facility in Viry-Châtillon will be repurposed into a ‘center for streetcar technology.’ “Alpine is in a slump,” he elaborated. “My shareholders are aware of this; the team has not been profitable. Finishing in P16 and P17 is simply humiliating. The well-known phrase, ‘marketing will cover all the costs,’ is no longer applicable.”
Navigating Future Challenges
Finally, De Meo highlighted the impact of the new engine regulations set for 2026, labeling them as a significant financial burden for the organization. “I prefer to compare the new regulations to some form of Frankenstein—a compromise created from the demands of every manufacturer,” he concluded. “As a result, development costs have skyrocketed. We are keeping future engine regulations in mind, but we also aspire to concentrate on other projects.”
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