F1 News
Renault disappears as engine supplier, what do the other team bosses say?
- Jeroen Immink
Renault will no longer supply an engine to Alpine after this season, thus disappearing from Formula 1. After returning in 2016, the French engine supplier is leaving without much success. So for the other Formula 1 teams, an engine option falls away, what do the other team owners have to say about it?
After returning in 2016, the Renault racing team failed to pick up a single victory. After the team was renamed Alpine, Esteban Ocon took its only victory in nine seasons at the Hungaroring in 2021. At Spa-Francorchamps, Laurent Mekies (VCARB) Fred Vasseur (Ferrari) and Alessandro Alunni Bravi (Stake Sauber) joined the team bosses' press conference. When asked about Alpine, Renault and team boss Bruno Famin had the following to say.
Laurent Mekies
"So ultimately, if it goes as Bruno said, it means that we'll get plus one with Audi and minus one with Alpine. So I don't think it's a good news. However, it comes, luckily, at a time where there are many manufacturers in Formula 1. So I would say that the sport can well afford this change. But it's never a good news when we lose a PU manufacturer," Mekies revealed.
Fred Vasseur
"I'm more focused on the people of Renault. I know very well the company that I spent years with them. I started my career in 1992 with Renault and I'm profoundly attached to Renault and I think it's a shame," Vasseur added.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi
"I think that is something different from the decision from Renault. And I think as a Formula 1, we need to be clear on this, you know. Sometimes it can happen. But now, as Fred said, is important the people. And I hope that the project that Bruno is developing will go forward because Bruno himself and the people at Viry-Châtillon that I also know personally deserve," Bravi said.
This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.