In the round-up: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is open to supplying power units to Alpine if Renault decide to stop producing their own hybrids in 2026.
In brief
Mercedes open to Alpine deal
Renault is rumoured to be considering whether to cease production of Formula 1 power units when the next regulations arrive in 2026. Mercedes will see the number of teams it supplies fall by one when Aston Martin switch to Honda that year, and Wolff said finding a replacement fourth team could probe advantageous.
“It’s a complicated situation,” he said. “We like the thought of replacing Aston Martin with another team because of the sheer learning you’re doing. I think we’re set up as an organisation that the more power units, the better it is in terms of accelerating some of the developments or the reliability. So this is where it is.”
However he stressed talks are still at an early stage. “It didn’t go beyond the point of exchanging opinions or having exploratory discussions. I think Alpine would take a decision, do they want to continue with their Formula 1 engine programme or not? And only when they have taken that strategic decision, we would dive into our agreements. But we’re open-minded, and that’s what we have told them.”
He ruled out the possibility of a decision being taken before the summer break.
Toyota lead extended second WEC practice
Toyota sat atop the times at the end of the first day of practice for the World Endurance Championship’s Six Hours of Interlagos. The number eight car set the pace with a best time of 1’25.727. The two works Ferraris were next, followed by the sole Cadillac, the two Jota Porsches and the third customer Ferrari.
The second session was extended to two-and-a-quarter hours after first practice ended early for barrier repairs. Arnold Robin crashed heavily at Descida do Lago in the number 78 GT3 Lexus A GT3 car and was able to climb out of his car.
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