Not just Ferrari: two other major teams pouncing on Renault's engine specialists

10/12/2024 10:46 AM

Ferrari is not alone: two other major teams are hunting for Renault's F1 engine specialists. The French manufacturer has officially announced the closure of its Power Unit program in F1, effective at the end of 2025. The protests of engineers and workers in Viry-Chatillon were not enough: Alpine will most likely rely on Mercedes' very promising engines from 2026.

The Alpine revolution has become hunting ground for teams in the paddock. The decision to no longer produce their own Power Units, following several seasons of failed partnership between Enstone and Viry-Chatillon, has left many specialized engineers looking for new employment. These technicians already have experience with the 2026 engines, as Renault's prototype PU is already on the test benches.

Ferrari is one of the most interested teams, and it's no secret: in recent days, we provided a "new" interpretation of the meeting between Enrico Gualtieri, Ferrari's Power Unit Director, and his Alpine counterpart, Eric Meignan, which took place at the Austrian Grand Prix. The doors of Maranello could (re)open for the former Ferrari engineer, who left the Prancing Horse at the end of 2023.

A recent report by Auto Motor und Sport confirms the rumors of Ferrari's serious interest in Alpine's engineers: at least twenty of them have already participated in interviews with Maranello, which aims to gather as much know-how as possible on the next generation of Power Units, while also poaching the best technicians from the French team.

Meanwhile, two other major teams in the paddock are also in contact with Alpine personnel. On one side is Audi, which will debut in Formula 1 in 2026, producing both chassis and engine. The Four Rings are already in an advanced stage of developing their first Power Unit, but admit that it will take time before they can aim for the top of the standings.

Red Bull is also interested in Renault's engineers: the Milton Keynes team will build its own Power Units starting in 2026, with technical support from Ford. Christian Horner's team has made no secret of its recruitment efforts at Mercedes and now wants to take the best from the defunct Alpine engine program.

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