Alpine boss reveals timeline for F1 2026 announcement with ‘best engine’ requirement.

Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes confirmed the team will look to announce their 2026 F1 power unit partners “before the end of the year”.

Alpine will move from a Renault factory power unit to become a customer team once Formula 1 regulation changes come into force, with staff from its Viry-Chatillon engine base set to will move on to other projects after work on its 2026 engine has already begun.

Alpine confirms timetable for planned 2026 F1 power unit announcement

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Blackstock

Alpine will have several options to choose from for a customer power unit deal, although those involved in the Renault engine project at Viry have spoken publicly of their vehement opposition to the change in direction from the perspective of ‘Alpine.

Mercedes are the rumored favorites to take on a customer partnership in the future, although Ferrari, Red Bull Ford Powertrains, Honda and newcomers Audi will also be involved in the sport from 2026.

Oakes, who joined Alpine as team principal over the summer, hinted that no decision has yet been made on what direction the team will take, but an announcement will be made by the end of 2024.

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“Yeah, I think it’s been a bit hot since I arrived,” Oakes joked to media outlets like PlanetF1.com in Austin when asked if his arrival at Alpine had been a “baptism of fire” for he

“I think at the end of the day, at group level, we’ve made it clear that we want to have the best engine in the car, and I think it’s an ongoing process.

“We’re looking at options, and I think when we have news, we’ll let you know.”

When pressed on a timescale, the new team manager added: “Before the end of the year. Is that OK?”

Alpine currently sit ninth in the constructors’ standings this season as Williams have overtaken them in recent races in what has been a difficult year so far.

However, Oakes remains upbeat about the future, based on what he’s seen so far from his short stint as the team’s manager so far.

“I think we’ve definitely had a couple of tough races. I think especially before the stop, at Spa and Zandvoort, we were there mixing it up for the points end,” he said.

“I think the last races have been tough for the team, quite humble, but I think we are positive this weekend.

“We have brought a very big update. We have to see how it works on the track, Pierre (Gasly) seemed happy, I would never say completely happy, the drivers are always on our case for a lot of things, but it looks positive.”

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