Renault Group has officially unveiled its plans for the Viry-Chatillon site, home to its storied Alpine Formula 1 engine development.
Despite a final attempt by employees to keep the F1 engine program alive, Renault has confirmed the end of its power unit production for the sport after 2025. In its place, the site will transform into a cutting-edge engineering hub known as Hypertech Alpine.
This announcement follows the September 30th deadline for negotiations between Renault and Viry-Chatillon workers, who strongly opposed the company’s decision to shift away from F1 engine production. Renault CEO Luca de Meo met with employees last week in a last-ditch effort to reconsider, but the company stood firm on its decision to pursue a new direction.
The Viry-Chatillon facility, historically the heart of Renault’s F1 engine operations, will now focus on a broader range of high-performance projects under the Hypertech Alpine name. These include the development of a new Alpine supercar, advanced battery technologies such as solid-state batteries, and electric vehicle R&D. The centre will also support Alpine’s motorsport endeavours, including the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Formula E, and rally competitions like Dakar.
“Following consultation with the employee representatives at Viry, Alpine has decided to establish an F1 monitoring unit,” the company stated, according to planetf1.com. “This unit will aim to maintain employees’ knowledge and skills in the sport and remain at the forefront of innovation for Hypertech Alpine’s various projects.”
Alpine transition its engineering centre
The decision to transition Viry-Chatillon into a high-tech engineering centre aligns with Renault’s broader innovation strategy. Alpine CEO Philippe Krief emphasised that this transformation marks “a turning point in the history of the Viry-Chatillon site” and assured that the brand’s “racing DNA remains a cornerstone.” Krief also noted that the move will ensure continuity in the site’s expertise and secure its future within Renault’s ambitious plans for ultra-high-performance technologies.
?FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM RENAULT ?
An end of an era #F1 #Formula1 #Viry pic.twitter.com/2R8yYACEhu
— FormulaNerds ?? (@Formula_Nerds) September 30, 2024
Despite Renault’s long and storied involvement in F1, the company has struggled to match the dominance of rivals like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda under the current V6 hybrid turbo power unit regulations. These struggles, coupled with the freezing of engine development in 2022, left Renault at a competitive disadvantage, fueling the decision to exit F1 engine production by 2026. Alpine is reportedly in talks with Mercedes to become a customer team from 2026 onwards.
Renault’s Formula 1 history dates back to 1977, when it introduced pioneering turbocharged engines. Over the years, it enjoyed considerable success, winning multiple championships as both a constructor and engine supplier. However, in recent years, the Renault power unit has fallen behind its competitors, leading to a shift in strategy.
With the new Hypertech Alpine centre slated for completion by late 2024, every Viry-Chatillon employee affected by the shift will be offered a new role within the project. The move signals the end of an era for Renault’s involvement in Formula 1 engine manufacturing and the beginning of a new chapter focused on cutting-edge automotive innovation.
The decision is significant, but Renault believes it positions the company for long-term success in the ever-evolving landscape of high-performance and electric vehicles while maintaining ties to its racing heritage through its new motorsport and technology programs.
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