Renault motorsport employees are set to strike on Friday in protest against the company’s decision to terminate its Formula 1 engine programme after next year.
A staff committee statement from Renault’s motorsport base in Viry-Chatillon, near Paris, revealed that “the vast majority” of employees will refuse to work. Additionally, a group of staff members will travel to the Italian Grand Prix to stage a demonstration.
Renault, which owns the Alpine team, began its F1 engine programme in 1977 and was a pioneer of turbo engines in the sport. The company has won championships with Williams, Benetton, and Red Bull.
It is anticipated that Renault will discontinue its F1 engine project and, starting in 2026, procure engines from Mercedes for the Alpine team. Employees at Viry-Chatillon will be reassigned to other motorsport projects.
The decision is driven by cost-saving measures and the fact that Renault’s engine has been the least competitive on the grid. The company has faced challenges since the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014.
Alpine stated that dialogue with staff “is important to management and will be pursued in the upcoming weeks.” The team added that “the transformation project is still being evaluated and no decision has been taken yet by Alpine’s management.”
The staff committee’s statement expressed concern over the anticipated loss of “a rich history of nearly 50 years and 12 world championship titles as an engine manufacturer” and argued that the move “threatens the international influence of French industrial excellence.”
The committee also highlighted confidence in the engine project for the new 2026 rules, which will increase the hybrid component’s contribution to power more than two-fold.
The strike in France will last six hours, beginning at 09:00 local time, with a demonstration at Monza featuring two groups in separate grandstands. A banner with a “clear and non-aggressive message” will advocate for a French engine in F1. Trackside employees in the Alpine garage will “if possible,” wear black armbands to show support. The strike will not affect track operations.
