Outgoing Alpine team principal Bruno Famin’s revelation that the team might integrate Mercedes or Ferrari engines into their cars has stirred the Formula 1 community.
Bruno Famin, who will step down as Alpine’s team principal by the end of August, commented on the advantages of the potential switch. He highlighted that putting a Mercedes or Ferrari engine in their car would lead to significant integration benefits. Despite acknowledging that such a change is “never easy,” he pointed out the likely shift aligns with the team’s strategic resource deployment.
Famin’s departure coincides with the onboarding of Hitech GP boss Oliver Oakes. He explained this move as part of Alpine’s strategic realignment, especially focusing on their resources. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shown openness to Alpine becoming an engine customer, noting that Aston Martin’s decision to partner with Honda from 2026 opens new possibilities.
With Honda, Audi, and Red Bull Powertrains entering the grid from 2026, Mercedes and Ferrari emerge as the top contenders for Alpine’s potential partnership, given Renault’s contemplation of exiting engine manufacturing by 2026. Famin remarked that Alpine is at a crossroads concerning resource allocation for developing the brand, given the newly published chassis regulations for 2026.
When questioned about Alpine potentially stepping back from engine manufacturing, Famin clarified that it’s about making the best use of the available resources to develop the Alpine brand. He noted, “Because we are at a very specific crossroads where the project for developing the Alpine brand is now very concrete, very clear.” He emphasized the importance of this decision for the 2026 car generation in Formula 1.
Regarding the integration of another power unit, Famin expressed confidence. He stated, “If we take a Ferrari or Mercedes engine, I’m quite convinced that all the integration, all the packaging will be already very, very good.” However, despite this potential shift, Famin firmly denied any intentions of selling the team, reiterating that Formula 1 remains central to developing Alpine’s global brand awareness.
At a meeting at Viry, the team’s engine base, Famin assured employees that no jobs would be lost due to this project. He confirmed, “Every single employee will be offered a job. There is no redundancy at all, and we are doing everything to make potentially, because again, it’s still a project, but if it’s confirmed, to make a very difficult moment as less painful as possible.”
Famin’s statements provide a glimpse into Alpine’s strategic plans, indicating a possible shift in engine partnerships while emphasizing their commitment to Formula 1 and employee retention.
