F1 News: Renault CEO Reveals Gutting News For Alpine As Jobs Under Threat

In a recent candid interview with Autocar, Renault CEO Luca de Meo has firmly quashed rumors of selling the Alpine F1 Team, amidst an admittedly rough patch in their Formula 1 journey. While steadfastly denying plans to sell any part of the team, de Meo also hinted at upcoming departures, signaling a continued period of significant change within the team's structure.

De Meo commented:

“I want to make this very clear. There is no way we are going to give up. It’s not my style. We will not sell even a part of this thing. We don’t need the money. I’ve had people making offers left and right, then talking in the press about it. But we’re not interested. It would be stupid and I won’t do it.”

Whilst acknowledging the recent departure of Rob White and many others over the last year, including former team principal Otmar Szafnauer, sporting director Alan Permane as well as driver Esteban Ocon, who will leave the French team at the end of this year, de Meo confirmed: "There will be more."

Giving a glimmer of hope, de Meo revealed Alpine’s strategy leading into 2025. Maintaining the current setup, the team intends to rectify prevailing issues and improve competitiveness. He shared:

“When we began the hybrid era [in 2014], our engine didn’t perform. We had been world champions with Red Bull but with hybrid, things went wrong. Even the engine we developed in 2021 had a 0.2sec to 0.5sec disadvantage every lap. And this year we’ve screwed up with the car. If you combine everything, we’re up to 1.5sec from where we need to be.

“For this year and 2025, we will try with the current set-up, then push to get things right for the next cycle. That’s the challenge. But we will do everything necessary to be a competitive team.

“I expect a much better performance from the team. We are not here to be P16. We should be in the mix as often as possible. Sometimes you’re second, sometimes you’re fifth, but that should be our level.”

Despite facing formidable challenges, de Meo’s comments reveal a commitment to continuous investment, aiming to restore Alpine to its former heights.