New Renault CEO Provost shuts down Alpine F1 exit talk

Amid swirling speculation about Alpine’s long-term future in Formula 1, Renault’s newly appointed CEO, François Provost, has moved to silence the rumours once and for all.

Just days after taking over the top job from outgoing CEO Luca de Meo, Provost made it clear: Alpine will remain on the grid.

Despite a season mired in underperformance and internal turbulence – including the closure of the Viry-Châtillon-based engine programme and ongoing restructuring – Renault’s top brass has doubled down on its belief in F1 as a central pillar of its future strategy.

Provost backs Alpine’s F1 future

In his first major statement since stepping into the CEO role ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Provost wasted no time laying out his vision and reaffirming Renault’s investment in the sport.

“Formula 1 is part of our core strategy for Alpine, and this I do not intend to change,” he said.

“The unique priority for the Formula 1 team is performance, improved performance this year and, of course, moreover, to succeed in 2026 with the new car. This is a unique priority given to Formula 1.”

Renault’s laser focus on 2026 – when the next major regulation reset arrives – echoes the internal direction Alpine has already hinted at this season. The team has made peace with 2025 being a developmental bridge year, hoping the long-term bet pays off in the new era.

Gasly on Provost: “He’s fully committed”

Alpine’s lead driver Pierre Gasly, who endured a punishing race in Budapest to finish 19th and last of the classified cars, with his teammate Franco Colapinto just one spot ahead, echoed Provost’s sentiment and welcomed the new leadership with cautious optimism.

“It’s really clear. He’s been a very long time working in Renault. He knows the DNA of the group, of the team,” Gasly told reporters in Hungary.

“He’s been part of it for all these years when Renault has been part of Formula 1. He’s fully committed to the sport, to the Formula 1 team.

“Obviously wants to see performance, and he’s backing everybody in the team. Looking forward to the future with the team.”

Gasly acknowledged the hard truths about Alpine’s current performance but maintained faith in the team's long game, especially with Provost now leading the charge.

“We know where we’re heading,” he added. “We know ’25 is a compromise we decided to take at the start of the year to focus on ’26. Hopefully, it’s going to pay dividends next year.”

Facing the fire, eyes on the future

Alpine currently sits rock bottom in the Constructors’ Championship, with just a handful of points scored – none of them scored by Colapinto, who is still chasing his first F1 finish in the top 10 in 2025.

But rather than retreat from the sport in crisis, Renault appears determined to turn adversity into opportunity.

• Read also: Ecclestone rubbishes Horner-Alpine rumors with Hamilton jab

Provost’s appointment signals a fresh phase for the embattled team, and one that is clearly still built around F1 as a proving ground for Alpine’s brand and technological ambitions.

With the next generation of regulations looming and the team already reshuffling to prioritise the long term, Renault and Alpine are playing the long game – one that, if successful, could see them emerge from the shadows stronger than ever.

For now, the message from the top is clear: Alpine is not for sale. And Renault is not walking away.

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