New CEO of Renault spoke of Alpine F1’s future

Francois Provost, who replaced Luca de Meo in the dome of the rhombus, marked the course that the company will take with her team for 2026.

The departure of Luca de Meo from his position as CEO World of Renault caused a cimbronazo in the bases of the Alpine team of Formula 1. The Italian was the most fervent driver of sustaining the French team, while the rumors of possible sale of the structure were piled up. With the resignation of the Pope to assume as CEO of the Kering Group, the future the team in which Franco Colapinto runs was in the air. On July 30, finally the Board of Directors of the Rombo appointed De Meo’s successor: Francois Provost, an executive with 23 years within the company.

The Frenchman held the position of purchasing director and had a close bond with De Meo. In fact, the Italian had given the name of Provost as the best replacement to continue his management. Already sitting in the presidential chair of Renault, and beyond all management tasks for the automotive industry, it was missing that it was pronounced with respect to the future of Alpine F1.

“Formula 1 is part of our central strategy for Alpine and I have no intention of changing it,” said Provost In statements that collects the Planetf1 medium, reaffirming the commitment of Meo and discarding the sale of 76% of the actions that Renault has in the team based in Estone.

“The absolute priority of Formula 1 team is performance, improving this year and, of course, triumphing in 2026 with the new car. This is an absolute priority for formula 1,” he added The CEO.

Next season, Alpine will stop using his own engines and will become a Mercedes clientafter the decision of Flavio Briatore, executive advisor of the Team, to close the viry plant. Just one of the big problems for Alpine in recent years, giving between 15 and 25 hp of power according to what brand compared it. The development of the current engines is frozen since 2022. The French brand asked the FIA to allow him to update the gap with the rivals, but the other teams did not accept. This situation, conjugated with lowering costs, led to the determination to ally with the arrows since 2026.

Provost sent the message that was waiting: there will be no sale. But it was also clear that next year it must be the take -off for a team that navigates in the last place of the 2025 Constructors Cup and the present does not seem to change, because the cannons all point to 2026.