With the impending departure of engine supplier Renault from Formula 1 after 2025, a fierce battle has erupted for the talented engineers currently working for the French engine manufacturer. As Alpine scrambles to find a new engine supplier, Renault employees are being courted by teams such as Red Bull, Ferrari, and Audi, all eager to secure these experts.
Unrest at Renault
The announcement that Renault will cease developing engines for Alpine after the 2025 season has hit like a bombshell. Many team members in Viry-Châtillon feel betrayed and have openly expressed their dissatisfaction. The French engine manufacturer, a long-standing fixture in Formula 1, announced on September 30 that their F1 project is coming to an end. This decision not only impacts the future of Alpine but also the employment of the many technicians and engineers involved in engine development.
Ferrari Receives Resumes from France
The turmoil within Renault has not gone unnoticed by the competition. Frédéric Vasseur recently indicated that he has received a significant number of resumes from France. With Vasseur as the team boss from France, the move to Maranello for Renault engineers may be smaller than thought. According to sources, the Italian team has even already conducted job interviews with engineers.
Audi and Red Bull Join the Battle
Not only has Ferrari shown interest. Renault employees are also in demand at Audi and Red Bull, as contact has already been made. Both teams are working on their own engine programs for 2026 and could use the knowledge of experienced F1 engineers. Audi, which officially joins Formula 1 in 2026, still has many steps to take to develop a competitive engine. Red Bull, on the other hand, is working with Ford on their new engine and is determined to have it ready on time.
Red Bull has proven over the past years that they do not hesitate to poach engineers from the competition. The team has previously succeeded in bringing talented employees from Mercedes to Milton Keynes. Christian Horner even admitted earlier this year that Red Bull has now brought in 200 technicians from Mercedes. With the arrival of a self-developed engine in 2026, there is always room for extra expertise, and there is a good chance that Renault engineers will soon make a move to Red Bull.
