It has now been official for a few days, without much surprise: Alpine F1 will source its engine and gearbox from Mercedes from 2026.
That a manufacturer who had developed its own F1, its own engine and had committed to 2026 and then withdraws thus annoys many.
Renault was one of six manufacturers hired to help develop the 2026 rules, but it now leaves Honda, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Powertrains and Audi as powertrain suppliers after its withdrawal.
But FIA single-seater technical director Nikolas Tombazis insists he “wouldn’t twist someone’s arm” to remain an engine manufacturer in F1.
“We discussed when we defined the process that registration was intended to cover the FIA's costs of controlling engine manufacturers in creating the regulations.
“But they are not intended to force anyone to continue to stay in the sport.”
“It's $120, $130, $140 million and over five years it's approaching $1 billion, and I don't think the FIA would force a manufacturer to invest $1 billion because they registered and paid a small registration fee.”
“It has always been possible for anyone to opt out, and we want people to stay because they want to, not because we are authoritarian.”
