Historic Formula 1 team shutting down engine facility

As a long-time enthusiast and follower of Formula One racing, I find myself disheartened by the recent news that Renault will be ending their engine manufacturing in F1 at the end of the 2025 season. Having witnessed the highs and lows of Renault’s engine program over the years, it’s hard not to feel a sense of nostalgia for the iconic French brand that graced the grid for nearly half a century.

Since 1977, Renault has been producing engines for Formula 1 races, but this partnership is set to conclude at the end of the 2025 season. Instead, Alpine intends to transition to using Mercedes engines starting from the 2026 season and beyond.

The choice comes as quite a surprise, considering Alpine is under Renault’s ownership. However, it appears they are preparing to function as a client team instead of a manufacturer team.

Over the past few months, the decision has been swiftly put into action, following initial work on the 2026 engine. This change is likely due to Renault’s doubts about their ability to create an engine that not only adheres to the upcoming regulations but also competes effectively with the engines of top Formula 1 teams.

As a result, the Renault factory is set to shut down.

Engineers outraged by the decision

The engine manufacturing plant of Renault is based in Viry-Chatillon, France, and has played a crucial role in the company’s previous victories. With the factory scheduled to close down, many employees are upset about losing their jobs and finding that projects they had been working on for 2026 will no longer continue.

Despite Renault’s intention to provide alternative positions for existing staff members or aid in their future careers, discord within the company has already started brewing.

Multiple team members reportedly express feelings of “deception” and “stabbed in the back,” regarding the announcement to cease Renault engines in Formula 1 after 2025. Preliminary findings indicated that the engine’s capability could rival Mercedes, which seems poised to lead engine advancements for the 2026 season.

Despite Renault assuring them of new positions, a number of employees remain anxious, with some even choosing to take temporary leave to evaluate their situation. Given the unexpected cessation of the company’s long-term involvement in Formula 1, this response can be seen as reasonable.

It might be wiser if Renault had allowed their engineers additional time for development prior to making a decision, considering they were thought to be at the same level as Mercedes.

In the upcoming regulations shift, no team can predict whether their engines will thrive or falter. It might have been wiser for Renault to test their 2026 engine first before considering becoming a customer team in 2027 or 2028. However, shutting down their engine facility is undeniably disheartening, signaling a further retreat of their presence in Formula 1.

2024-08-16 13:32

Tommy Fury breaks cover amid ‘cheating’ allegations: Boxer seen for first time since Molly-Mae Hague ‘kicked him out for being unfaithful with a Danish woman in Macedonia’