Laurent Mekies, team boss of Visa RB, and Christian Horner, team boss of Red Bull, express their disappointment over Alpine’s decision to withdraw as an engine supplier from Formula 1. According to the two team bosses, this is not good news for motorsport. Bruno Famin, the outgoing team boss of Alpine, explains why the French racing stable is pushing ahead with the plan.
Alpine will cease its own production of Formula 1 engines in 2026. The team is reportedly in talks with Mercedes to become a customer of the German racing stable, but nothing has been confirmed yet. However, outgoing Alpine team boss Famin explains why the racing stable is stopping engine production.
“When you look at the cost of developing an engine compared to buying an engine, there is a huge difference,” Famin told Formula1.com. “That huge difference is not compensated by prize money, because all the prize money goes to the team.”
Bad News for the Racing World
Laurent Mekies, team boss of Visa RB, a customer team of Red Bull, expresses his disappointment that Alpine will no longer manufacture its own engines. “I believe it’s always bad news when you lose an engine supplier,” he stated. “Fortunately, it’s happening at a time when there are many manufacturers in Formula 1. So, I would say that the sport can afford this change. But it’s never good news when we lose an engine supplier.”
Christian Horner, of Red Bull, agrees with his Visa RB colleague. His own team has been producing its own engines since 2022, in collaboration with Honda. From 2026, the Austrian team will be partnering with American company Ford. “It’s always sad to see an engine manufacturer leave. Viry (where the Alpine factory is located) has been involved in Formula 1 for many, many years. They have also supplied engines to us for many years, so we know many of the people there and wish them all the best for the future.”
