Renault handed withering F1 exit criticism: ‘It’s a stab in the back’

Renault has been accused of “betrayal” and ‘stabbing its employees in the back’ after opting to pull the plug on its development of F1 engines for Alpine.

The 350-strong workforce at the French manufacturer’s base at Viry-Châtillon, where 60 per cent have been involved in the design and construction of the new-for-2026 power unit, was informed last week of Renault’s decision to halt production.

The conclusion to next season will end its 49-year involvement in F1 as an engine supplier, during which time it won 12 constructors’ titles, with Williams, Benetton, Red Bull, and Renault.

Alpine is now set to become a customer in 2026, with Mercedes almost certain to be its PU supplier.

“We didn’t see it coming,” said Karine Dubreucq, a union representative at the Viry-Châtillon site, speaking to L’Equipe.

“It’s a stab in the back, a betrayal. We have developed engines here capable of being F1 champions 12 times, and now we can’t anymore? They didn’t even wait for the first test bench.”

Renault decision “is going to cause damage”

Bruno Famin, who is stepping down from his role as Alpine team principal to take over the running of the Viry-Châtillon plant, recently remarked that Renault’s engines have consistently lacked power since the introduction of the current turbo-hybrid systems.

A worker on the group engine team, speaking anonymously, expressed confidence the PU in development would have been the “equivalent to that of Mercedes”. They added that “at worst, there would be a 15-horsepower difference. We have redesigned everything in the turbo.”

Dubreucq fired a warning shot to Renault by stating that staff were ‘already taking sick leave’, and that the decision “is going to cause damage”.

Another employee warned: “If we stop here, we will never hear about a Renault engine in F1 again.”