The French team, after years of positive financial results, has reported a negative figure, raising concerns for the future.
Alpine experienced a significant financial decline in 2024, as shown by its full annual accounts, which recorded a loss of £14.6 million. This represents a sharp reversal from 2023, when the team posted a profit of £7.8 million, resulting in an overall deterioration of £22.4 million in the team’s financial position. The difficulties were driven by a combination of lower revenues and higher operating costs, putting pressure on the team’s financial sustainability in an increasingly competitive environment.
Alpine’s revenue, derived mainly from sponsorships and prize money, fell from £250 million in 2023 to £238.5 million in 2024. This drop directly impacted gross profits, which plunged from £72.4 million to £44.5 million. One key reason for this decline is related to the prize money distribution system, which is based on the previous year’s results.
In 2024, Alpine received payments tied to its sixth-place finish in the 2023 Constructors’ Championship, but the share was lower than the previous year, contributing to a 13% drop in prize money revenue. This highlights the team’s vulnerability to fluctuations in both sporting and commercial performance.
On-track performance and the switch to a customer team
From a sporting perspective, Alpine mirrored its 2023 performance, finishing the 2024 season in sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship. A highlight was the double podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix, representing a peak in an otherwise inconsistent season. Thanks to technical updates introduced mid-season and changes in senior management, the team showed signs of recovery in the second half of the year, culminating in the double podium of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly at Interlagos.
In the 2025 season, however, the French team is facing a challenging campaign, with only 20 points collected in the first 17 races, all scored by Pierre Gasly, who recently renewed his contract with the team. The second driver’s situation remains uncertain: Franco Colapinto currently occupies the seat but is under pressure to improve his performance. This uncertainty reflects the challenges Alpine faces in balancing driver development with the need for immediate results on track.
From 2026 onward, the Enstone-based team will abandon internally developed Renault engines and adopt Mercedes power units. This decision marks the end of Renault’s engine program in Formula 1, in line with upcoming technical regulations. The transition represents a pragmatic approach to optimize resources and enhance competitiveness, but it also represents a historic shift for the brand, which is stepping away from its role as a full engine manufacturer after decades in the sport.
The challenges ahead for Alpine
The French team’s financial outlook appears challenging. If Alpine fails to improve its position in the Constructors’ Championship, it could face a further reduction in prize money, dropping from around £67 million to approximately £47 million in 2026. This decline would be influenced by the entry of Cadillac as the eleventh team in Formula 1, reducing the share of prize money allocated to each team. In addition, Formula 1’s commercial performance in 2025 and 2026 will be decisive for the funds available, adding further uncertainty to the team’s financial landscape.
On the management side, Alpine recently appointed Steve Nielsen as chief administrative officer. Nielsen, who had previously worked at Enstone during Fernando Alonso’s 2005 and 2006 World Championship wins, works alongside Flavio Briatore, confirmed as an executive advisor. Nielsen emphasized the importance of leveraging Enstone’s excellent facilities to produce a more competitive car, acknowledging that the current results do not reflect the team’s potential.
2024 was a transitional year, marked by financial challenges, strategic changes, and inconsistent sporting performance. As the team seeks to stabilize and improve its prospects, both on and off the track, the decisions made in the coming months will be critical in shaping Alpine’s future in an increasingly competitive Formula 1 environment. With new leadership, an impending technical transition, and the need to strengthen the driver lineup, Alpine finds itself at a crossroads, aiming to rebuild a solid foundation to return to the top of the sport.
Leave a Reply