Renault Employees Fight to Preserve 50 Years of Formula One Legacy

Renault employees at the Viry-Chatillon facility in Paris are urging the company to reconsider plans to halt engine production for its Alpine Formula One team. They claim the move would betray 50 years of motorsport history and French innovation. The debate centers on whether to switch to Mercedes engines to cut costs.

Staff at Renault's Formula One engine facility near Paris have pleaded with the company to reconsider its plan to scrap power unit production. They argue that this decision would betray 50 years of motorsport history.

The Viry-Chatillon plant, which employs 334 workers, has been instrumental in producing engines for Renault's British-based Alpine team. Notably, the team is currently developing a power unit for 2026, in anticipation of a regulation overhaul. In a statement, the plant's Social and Economic Council accused Renault management of planning to halt F1 activities at the site and instead, purchase Mercedes engines to cut direct costs from $120 million to $17 million.

The council emphasized that the decision is expected on Sept. 30. While Renault has not commented, Mercedes F1 head Toto Wolff mentioned that Alpine would soon decide whether to continue with their Formula One engine program. Renault's struggles with engine power and team leadership changes have left the team eighth out of 10 in the current standings. The employee statement, issued during the Dutch Grand Prix, highlighted that Alpine founder Jean Redele supported French innovation in motorsport. The employees believe switching to a foreign engine would undermine this vision and the Viry-Chatillon plant's legacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)