Alpine confirm they are to shut down works engine programme at the end of 2025

Alpine have announced plans for a so-called ‘Hypertech’ transformation project that will include their Formula 1 power unit department ceasing operations at the end of next year.

Alpine’s F1 programme is currently split across two factories – the chassis-focused division in Enstone in the UK, and the engine-focused division in Viry-Chatillon, France.

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Under the changes, the Viry-Chatillon base – which has been designing and building engines since Alpine’s parent company Renault entered the sport back in the 1970s – will not produce F1 power units post-2025.

Enstone will therefore become the heart of Alpine’s F1 efforts moving forward, incorporating a yet-to-be-announced engine supply arrangement for the 2026 regulation changes – following on from talk of a potential deal with Mercedes.

Viry-Chatillon, meanwhile, is set to be transformed into ‘Hypertech Alpine’.

In a statement released on Monday, the company described this as a “new state-of-the-art engineering centre” that “will bring together some of the best talent in the world to contribute to the development of ultra-high-performance vehicles and innovations in cutting-edge technologies” for Alpine and the Renault Group.

Alpine said the consultation process with employee representatives leading up to the changes was “constructive”, with all employees affected by the transformation project to be offered a new position within the Hypertech operation.

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An ‘F1 monitoring unit’ will also be established, with the aim being to “maintain employees’ knowledge and skills in this sport and remain at the forefront of innovation for Hypertech Alpine’s various projects”.

Alpine CEO Philippe Krief said: “Creating this Hypertech Alpine centre is key to Alpine’s development strategy and, more broadly, to the Group’s innovation strategy.

“It is a turning point in the history of the Viry-Chatillon site, which will ensure the continuity of a savoir-faire and the inclusion of its rare skills in the Group’s ambitious future while strengthening Alpine’s position as an ‘innovation garage’.

“Its racing DNA remains a cornerstone of the brand. It will continue to fuel an unprecedented industrial and automotive project, thanks particularly to Hypertech Alpine.”

The news comes shortly after another internal reshuffle at the Renault-owned squad, with former Benetton and Renault boss Flavio Briatore returning to F1 – and the Enstone team he previously led – as Alpine’s new Executive Advisor earlier this year.

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His role was said to cover “scouting top talents and providing insights on the driver market, challenging the existing project by assessing the current structure and advising on some strategic matters within the sport”.

He promptly brought in respected junior team boss Oliver Oakes as Alpine’s new Team Principal, replacing Bruno Famin – who had only been in the role for a year – and adding to a long line of managerial changes in recent years.

Alpine sit ninth in the constructors’ standings with three quarters of the 2024 season completed, having scored 13 points across the 18 rounds staged so far.