What does Renault’s axing of its engine project mean for F1? Our writers have their say

Following the announcement by Renault that it is ending its Formula 1 engine operations before the new rules era in 2026, the decision will have a huge impact on both its team and the wider grid.

What does it mean for Alpine, its rivals and F1 overall? Our writers offer their views.

Team Enstone can focus all efforts on being winners again – Ben Hunt

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, there seems to be some common sense emerging from the mess that is the confusing Alpine/Renault F1 operation.

In truth, I have never fully understood the reasoning behind Renault’s decision to rebrand its F1 operation to promote one variant of road car, but that’s beside the point.

There have been a number of bewildering decisions culminating in a revolving door or new arrivals and departures.

But now, after months of speculation there is at least some clarity over its beleaguered engine operation at Viry-Chatillon near Paris.

The good news is that those staff will keep their jobs and work on the future technology to be used to power Renault and Alpine cars.

The better news is for Alpine’s Enstone F1 operation, that can now cut loose from using an uncompetitive power unit and perhaps more enlightening, the Anglo-French political wrangling with Paris.

Alpine, now free from the shackles, can fully focus on designing an F1 car without the concerns of worrying if it will be hamstrung by yet another dud engine.

If there were any doubts about the decision to finally pack in its F1 engine business and sign up as a customer with Mercedes, which I am sure will upset the purists, then they’d need only look in the direction of McLaren.

The Woking team also tried its luck with a Renault power unit and, in all fairness it did deliver them a third place in the constructors’ championship in 2020, although that was an abnormal season due to the COVID pandemic. McLaren was determined to jettison Renault, as Red Bull had done before them, and opted for Mercedes power, while the latter went with Honda. Since 2021, McLaren has knuckled down and concentrated on designing the best chassis it can and accompanied that with arguably the best engine on the grid.

The uptick in results proves that this was indeed the correct decision and it also shows that you do not need to be an engine supplier to be in with a chance of winning the F1 constructors’ or drivers’…