The newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Renault, Francois Provost, has reaffirmed the French manufacturer’s firm commitment to continuing its involvement in Formula 1 through the Alpine brand. Despite a difficult season on track and a period marked by leadership instability, the company remains focused on its long-term plans within the pinnacle of motorsport.
A Disappointing Season for Alpine in Formula 1
As Formula 1 heads into the summer break of the 2025 season, the Alpine F1 Team finds itself in last place in the Constructors’ Championship standings. With only 20 points collected over the course of the first 14 Grands Prix of the year, it has been a deeply underwhelming campaign for the Enstone-based squad, which has struggled to remain competitive.
Beyond the poor on-track results, Alpine has also been dealing with internal turbulence and strategic uncertainties that have further clouded its future. In May, the team parted ways with Team Principal Oliver Oakes. Just a few weeks later, in June, Renault’s Chief Executive Officer Luca De Meo announced that he would step down from his position, leaving questions about the direction of both the parent company and its motorsport division.
What’s Next for Alpine in Formula 1?
Currently, ownership of the Alpine F1 Team is divided between Renault Group, which holds a 76% majority stake, and a consortium of private investors that controls the remaining 24%. This group includes several notable entities such as RedBird Capital Partners, Otro Capital, and the investment firm Maximum Effort, co-founded by actor Ryan Reynolds.
In recent weeks, numerous rumours have circulated regarding the team’s future. Among the more high-profile speculations was the possibility of Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner becoming involved in Alpine’s shareholder structure. Another rumour suggested that Renault could return to using its own name for the Formula 1 team, abandoning the Alpine branding.
This atmosphere of uncertainty has been further heightened by a major strategic decision made earlier this year. It was under the leadership of Luca De Meo—along with long-time motorsport advisor Flavio Briatore—that Alpine opted to abandon its own power unit programme and switch to Mercedes engines starting from the 2026 Formula 1 season, coinciding with the introduction of the new engine regulations.
Francois Provost Reaffirms Commitment to F1
During Renault’s latest financial results presentation, Francois Provost made his first public appearance as the new CEO of the group. Addressing the concerns and speculation surrounding the company’s Formula 1 programme, Provost reiterated that Formula 1 continues to be a central pillar of Alpine’s brand identity and marketing strategy.
“Formula 1 remains an integral part of our strategic vision for the Alpine brand,” Francois Provost stated. “I have no intention of changing that direction. The only true priority for any Formula 1 team must be performance and how to improve it. We need to make clear progress in 2025, but even more importantly, we must be fully prepared for the major regulatory changes that will arrive in 2026.”
His comments highlight the importance that Renault continues to place on its Formula 1 activities, despite the disappointing recent results and behind-the-scenes instability. The focus, according to Provost, will now shift to ensuring the team is positioned to take full advantage of the next major rule change in 2026, a year seen by many within the sport as an opportunity for struggling teams to reset and regain competitiveness.
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