Newly appointed Renault CEO François Provost confirms Alpine’s long-term commitment to Formula 1. The Frenchman hoped to send a clear signal with his visit to the paddock in Monza, emphasizing that the French racing team, with Pierre Gasly as driver and Steve Nielsen as team manager, is choosing a stable future. “We are entering a new era,” reveals Provost.
Last June, Renault announced that then-CEO Luca de Meo was leaving the racing team. François Provost quickly succeeded De Meo and made his first visit to the Formula 1 paddock during the Italian GP. With this, the new CEO wanted to send a clear signal, he tells Canal+. “The main purpose of my visit is to emphasize that we are staying in Formula 1, and that we will stay in Formula 1 for a very long time,” says Provost.
Rumors about Alpine’s future in Formula 1 were fueled last year when the racing team announced it would no longer build its own engines. Alpine will become a customer team of Mercedes, and from 2026 will take over the power units of the Silver Arrows. Renault itself ended the rumors at the last Grand Prix in Italy by signing Pierre Gasly as a driver until 2028. Steve Nielsen also started in Monza as the new team manager of Alpine.
New Era
According to Provost, Alpine is choosing stability with this. “We are entering a new era: an era in which performance is central, but above all stability,” the CEO continues. “The long-term commitment with Pierre clearly shows that and the appointment of Steve as managing director is also a good example of this. As you can see, we have already made many steps forward.”
