F1 News: Alpine responds to sale rumours as it splits from Renault Engine partnership

The Alpine F1 team has recently been the subject of rumours about a potential sale, with team principal Bruno Famin stepping down at the end of August after just one year, marking another significant change in management for the struggling French team. Alpine has also struggled on track, having scored just nine points in 13 races this season.

Renault’s upcoming departure as Alpine’s engine supplier marks another change, transforming Alpine from a factory-backed team to a customer team. The move has fuelled speculation about the team’s future, including rumours of a potential sale. Responding to these rumours during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Famin stated firmly, as quoted by Racing News 365:

“No, the Formula 1 project remains a key project for the Alpine brand.

“It is through Formula 1 that we want to develop brand awareness around the world.”

Famin also explained that the restructuring at Alpine is not a sign of reduced commitment but a strategic reallocation of resources.

“That remains, but the project simply reallocates resources to better develop the brand, always relying on the pillar of motorsport and mainly Formula 1 to develop awareness.”

With Renault withdrawing from F1, Alpine faces critical decisions regarding its future engine supply, particularly with the upcoming 2026 regulations potentially limiting the number of engine suppliers available. This urgency is compounded by the recent release of the chassis regulations. Famin continued:

“We are at a very specific crossroads, where the Alpine brand development project is now very specific, very clear. We know what resources are needed to develop it.

“On the other hand, we know that for the 2026 generation of Formula 1 cars, the chassis regulations were published a few weeks ago.

“Now we have to make a decision, because the person designing the chassis needs to know which drive module he wants to use.

“It’s not about why before, but that now the question from the Alpine brand perspective is how do we best use the resources we have to grow the brand.”

Alpine has not yet confirmed which team it is likely to join for an engine partnership, although Famin has suggested Mercedes or Ferrari. General Motors has also been linked to the team, which could pave the way for Andretti Global to enter.