Renault Staff to Strike Over F1 Engine Program Closure

Renault motorsport employees are set to strike on Friday in response to the company's plans to terminate its Formula 1 engine program after next year.

A statement from the staff committee at Renault's motorsport facility in Viry-Chatillon, near Paris, revealed that the "vast majority" of employees will participate in the strike.

In addition, a group of employees has traveled to the Italian Grand Prix to stage a demonstration.

Renault, which owns the Alpine team, began its F1 engine program in 1977 and was a pioneer of turbo engines in the sport. The company has secured championships with Williams, Benetton, and Red Bull.

The company is anticipated to end its F1 engine project and, starting in 2026, purchase engines from Mercedes for the Alpine team. Employees at the Viry-Chatillon facility will be reassigned to other motorsport projects.

The decision to discontinue the engine program is aimed at cost savings and addressing the fact that Renault's engine is currently the least competitive on the grid. The company has faced challenges since the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014.

Alpine has stated that dialogue with staff "is important to management and will be pursued in the upcoming weeks." The team also noted, "The transformation project is still being evaluated and no decision has been taken yet by Alpine's management."

The staff committee expressed regret over the potential loss of "a rich history of nearly 50 years and 12 world championship titles as an engine manufacturer" and claimed the move "threatens the international influence of French industrial excellence."

The committee also mentioned that work on the new engine rules for 2026, which will more than double the hybrid component's contribution, was progressing well.

The strike in France is scheduled to last for six hours, beginning at 09:00 local time. The demonstration at Monza will feature two groups in separate grandstands. A banner with a "clear and non-aggressive message" will advocate for the retention of a French engine in F1.

Trackside employees in the Alpine garage are expected to show support by wearing black armbands, "if possible." The strike is not expected to disrupt track operations.