The intricate process of manufacturing an F1 power unit is not an easy task. Even the slightest glitch could jeopardize the entire season. Moreover, the powerhouse of an F1 car, the engine, needs to be highly effective to compete against the best teams. This is the reason Alpine shut down the production of Renault PUs. After months of external speculation and internal discussion, the French team has decided to become a customer team.
Alpine, which entered the F1 scene in 2021, was powered by Renault. However, the team’s lack of competitive engines has forced it to look for alternatives. Therefore, since the start of this season, the French outfit has been in negotiations with Mercedes. The Silver Arrows are known for creating advanced and powerful engines. They are among the top manufacturers in the F1 world. However, a recent report suggests that the German Maqrue is about to acquire a new customer after Lewis Hamilton’s departure.
Mercedes-Alpine Closing In On A Power Unit Deal After Viry Chatillon Shutdown
The Alpine team is determined to become more competitive in F1, and the first crucial step to achieve this is enhancing the performance of its engines. Therefore, according to French Outlet L’Equipe, the team will pay Mercedes around $15M for a power unit tie-up. In an interview with De Meo, the Alpine CEO revealed the reason behind this offer was a massive staff working under Toto Wolff’s guidance.
Luca De Meo recently shed light on the challenges faced by Renault in Formula 1, particularly when compared to powerhouse teams like Mercedes. He explained that Mercedes operates with advanced testing facilities and resources that Renault simply lacks. The transition to the hybrid era, which required massive investments in technology, was an area where Renault fell behind, largely because the scale of investment needed was underestimated. As De Meo put it, while Mercedes runs at total capacity, Renault operates at a fraction of that, likening it to running on three cylinders compared to Mercedes’ eight.
Reflecting on his leadership, De Meo emphasized that Renault was on the verge of pulling out of Formula 1 when he took charge four years ago. He claims it was his intervention that kept the team in the sport. However, despite saving Renault’s F1 project, he acknowledged the structural limitations that hinder their ability to compete at the highest level, particularly in areas like battery chemistry, software management, and energy recovery systems.
Viry Chatillon To Serve Renault’s Motorsport Endeavours
Viry will remain a key production center for Renault’s other motorsport projects, including the World Endurance Championship, Formula E, and Rally Raid. While Renault prepares to exit Formula 1, they plan to set up an F1 monitoring unit aimed at enhancing employee skills and expertise, which can be applied to other areas. One major concern following this decision was the future of the Viry workforce. However, the team has reassured staff that they will continue to have job opportunities within the company.
