F1 Academy - Round 6 Lusail - Qualifying & Race 1 - Image Source: Getty
Alpine's executive advisor, Flavio Briatore said that switching to the Mercedes engine for the 2026 season onwards was the need of the hour, as homegrown power units weren't yielding desired results. The Italian businessman marked a return to the motorsport world this year after Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo roped him into an advisor role.
The French outfit finished P6 in the constructors championship this year after a double podium finish in Brazil turned their season around. Prior to Sao Paulo's heroics, the team made notable managerial changes. Team principal Bruno Famin was replaced by Oli Oakes, and Flavio Briatore returned in an executive advisor role.
Briatore's first thing of business sent waves in the F1 community. Alpine decided to shut down its homegrown engine program with Renault to partner with Mercedes from the 2026 season onwards. 2026 is the year when engine regulations will be overhauled, and hence the French outfit chose to become a customer team.
