The French manufacturer bids farewell to Formula 1 as an engine supplier at Abu Dhabi, closing over forty years of history and leaving behind not only nostalgia but also an indelible legacy, having won a total of 23 world titles and cemented its place in the sport’s history.
Abu Dhabi marks the end of an era
All eyes in motorsport are on Abu Dhabi. While the championship battle between Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri captures most attention, the final weekend of this long season carries a deeper significance: it represents the farewell to ground-effect cars, making way for a new technical cycle, and the last appearance of the Renault Power Unit.
These two elements are intertwined. Initially involved in developing a new unit for the 2026 regulations, with an increasing focus on the electric component, Renault ultimately decided to halt the project, marking its exit from Formula 1 as an engine supplier. The decision was made at the top of the group, where technical and economic considerations prevailed.
A strategic shift for Renault
After years of struggling to keep pace with rivals, Renault’s leadership chose to change philosophy and rely on Mercedes as a customer. Developing an in-house engine incurs significantly higher costs compared to purchasing from an established manufacturer, with the risk that the investment may not yield competitive results without a truly strong Power Unit.
For the group’s leadership, the investment required to produce an engine could no longer be justified when better results could be achieved with a smaller financial commitment. The budget cap for engine suppliers is set above $100 million per year, but additional structural investments are essential to make the Power Unit genuinely competitive. The original idea was to make Alpine the “French Ferrari,” in Renault’s own words, but that project stalled.
Challenges of the hybrid era
The transition to the hybrid era involved enormous, previously underestimated investments, and today the French operation faces limited resources compared to rivals. Additionally, part of the production relied on external companies for key components. For this reason, the historic Viry factory, cradle of 23 world titles over four decades, will be repurposed to prepare the entire Renault group for the future, focusing on new technologies such as hydrogen.
The conclusion is inevitable: today, F1 is the platform where Alpine wants to highlight its brand, not showcase an engine. Economic balance demands profitability, and the decision to rely on Mercedes stems from an industrial logic that sacrifices part of the charm Renault contributed to the sport’s history. From the turbo revolution in the 1970s to the last four consecutive titles with Red Bull, and including Fernando Alonso’s two world championships in 2005 and 2006, Viry has combined technical excellence and historical significance like few other brands.
A lasting tribute from the team
To make this farewell even more poignant, the mechanics chose to leave a permanent mark: each of them wrote a message on the Power Unit that will run its final race. Simple words, signatures, and memories come together to form a mosaic of gratitude and pride, a testament to the daily dedication that defined life at Viry.
An era comes to an end
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix not only closes a season but also ends a chapter spanning more than forty years of Formula 1, now filled with nostalgia. Twelve world titles as an engine supplier, eleven drivers brought to triumph, hundreds of victories: a legacy that has left a profound mark, securing Renault’s place in the sport’s history.
When the chequered flag falls on Sunday night, more than just the 2025 season will come to an end. An era that spanned over 40 years, produced 23 world championships and changed Formula 1 forever will close its final page, leaving behind nostalgia, respect and an indelible legacy in the history of the sport.
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