Mercedes F1 PU manager makes a mistake "Advancing performance on the software side"[F1-Gate.com]”>Alpine F1 Team Makes Power play: Mercedes Partnership Signals Ambitious Future

The Alpine F1 Team is charting a new course, embracing a strategic partnership wiht Mercedes-Benz for its power units starting in the 2026 Formula 1 season. This bold move follows Renault’s proclamation in September that it would cease manufacturing F1 engines after the 2025 campaign, a decision Alpine Team Principal Oliver Oakes describes as a “big statement of where we want to go.”

Renault’s underperformance in recent years, lagging behind other manufacturers in the turbo-hybrid era, paved the way for this significant change.Alpine’s decision to secure Mercedes engines positions them for a competitive edge,a crucial factor in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.

“I know it was a difficult decision,” Oakes shared on the Beyond the Grid podcast. “We’re proud to be a works team and we have another year ahead of us, so I can understand being emotional. But I also feel like it’s a big statement of where we want to go.”

Oakes emphasized the team’s unwavering ambition. “We’re not here to just match numbers,” he stated. “We want to move forward. We just want to put the best engine in the back of the car. At the end of the day, what’s significant to us is racing. We want to be on the front row of the grid. We don’t want to walk at the back of the grid.”

“And cruelly, the choice we made was to put the best engine in the car and help the team move up the grid again. That was it,” Oakes added.

While the decision to switch engine suppliers was underway before Oakes assumed his role four months ago, the move gained momentum with Aston Martin’s decision to partner with Honda in 2026, opening up a prime possibility for Alpine. However, Oakes confirmed that Alpine explored other options before finalizing the Mercedes partnership.

“I think they’ve had discussions with other manufacturers as well,” Oakes revealed. “I don’t know exactly who it was with. But I think it was clear pretty early on from a customer powertrain outlook that Mercedes was the obvious choice at the moment. There was also the simple reason that Aston Martin had already moved to Honda, so there was an almost free spot.”

This strategic alliance with Mercedes positions Alpine for a potential resurgence in the highly competitive world of Formula 1. The team’s commitment to securing top-tier performance underscores its ambition to contend for podium finishes and ultimately, championship titles. The 2026 season promises to be an exciting chapter in the Alpine F1 Team’s journey.

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Alpine F1 Team Bets Big on Mercedes Partnership for 2026

The Alpine F1 Team is shaking up the grid with a strategic engine partnership with Mercedes-Benz, starting in the 2026 Formula 1 season. This move signals a major shift for the team following Renault’s departure from engine manufacturing after the 2025 season.



In this exclusive interview,we speak with David Jackson, a leading Formula 1 analyst and technology expert,about what this powerful alliance means for Alpine’s future.



World Today News: David, Alpine’s decision to partner with Mercedes has been a hot topic. What are your initial thoughts on this strategic move?



David Jackson: Its a significant step for Alpine, without a doubt.



Renault’s power units haven’t been keeping pace with the top contenders in recent years. This partnership allows Alpine to leapfrog that hurdle and get access to arguably the best engine on the grid. It shows real ambition from alpine, a clear desire to be fighting at the front, not just making up numbers.



World Today News: Renault pulling out of engine manufacturing was a big surprise to many. How might this new partnership impact Alpine competitively?



David Jackson: It’s a huge possibility for them.Mercedes has been a dominant force in the hybrid era, and their power units are renowned for their reliability and performance. this could be a game-changer for Alpine, allowing them to focus resources on car development rather than engine production.





World Today News: Some might say switching to a customer engine abandons the dream of being a fully autonomous works team. How do you see that?



david Jackson: It’s a pragmatic decision. Alpine needs to prioritize performance if they want to compete for wins and championships. Right now, the best path to achieve that is by leveraging Mercedes’ expertise. While being a full works team holds a certain prestige, it doesn’t guarantee success.



World today News: Looking ahead to 2026, how competitive do you anticipate Alpine will be with this new partnership?



David Jackson:



I believe they can be a serious contender, possibly even challenging for podiums and wins on a regular basis.They’ll have a top-tier power unit, and if they continue to improve their car design and strategy, there’s no reason why they can’t be fighting with the likes of Red Bull, ferrari, and Mercedes.



World Today News: This partnership could also have wider implications for the F1 grid. What are your thoughts on that?



David Jackson: It’s certainly interesting. With Aston Martin moving to honda, and now Alpine securing Mercedes, it raises questions about the future engine landscape. It highlights the importance of strong partnerships and technical alliances in Formula 1, and it will be intriguing to see how these relationships evolve in the coming years.