François Provost, the new Renault CEO, has confirmed that the Alpine F1 team is “staying in Formula 1 for a long time.” He made this statement during his first visit to the Italian Grand Prix.
Provost became the CEO in July 2025, taking over from Luca de Meo. His arrival at Renault raised questions about the company’s future in Formula 1. De Meo had ended Renault’s in-house F1 engine program at Viry-Chatillon, and starting in 2026, Alpine will use Mercedes engines.
Alpine faced financial challenges, reporting an €11.2 billion loss in the first half of 2025. The company also suffered a €9.3 billion write-down from its investment in Nissan. In mid-July, its share price dropped by 18 percent following a surprise profit warning.
Despite rumors of an Alpine F1 buyout, Provost used his visit to Monza to assure the public. He said, “My visit aims mainly to reaffirm we’re staying in Formula 1. We’re staying in Formula 1 for a long time.”
Alpine’s Focus on Stability and Performance
One of the key factors in Alpine’s future plans is Pierre Gasly’s new contract, which runs until 2028. This long-term deal is an important step for the team, as it helps ensure stability moving forward. Provost sees Gasly’s commitment as a positive sign for Alpine’s future success.
“We are entering a new era, which will be a performance era but above all a stability era. Pierre’s commitment demonstrates this well,” Provost said. The new contract shows that Alpine is serious about providing its drivers with a stable environment for long-term success.
Leadership Changes Signal Alpine’s Ambitious Future
Another major change at Alpine is the appointment of Steve Nielsen as the new Managing Director. Nielsen, who has worked closely with Flavio Briatore, started his role on 1 September 2025. Provost sees Nielsen’s appointment as a significant step toward improving Alpine’s operations.
“Steve’s appointment as managing director is a good example, too. So, you see, we’ve made many steps forward,” Provost added. Nielsen’s experience and leadership will help the team stay on track as it works toward its long-term goals.
Alpine F1’s Struggles and Focus on the 2026 Regulations
While Alpine faces challenges this season, it remains focused on the future. The team has struggled for performance, sitting at the bottom of the constructors’ standings. Alpine decided to halt in-season development and focus on preparing for the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Gasly has scored just 20 points, well behind the next best team, Haas. In the second car, Franco Colapinto has yet to score any points since replacing Jack Doohan. Even with these challenges, Provost believes the team is on the right path. Alpine’s focus on long-term goals and stability will help guide them toward success in future seasons.
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