What Happened to Renault F1 Team (now BWT Alpine Formula One Team)?
The Renault F1 Team, a storied Formula 1 constructor with a history dating back to 1977, underwent a significant transformation in 2021, rebranding as the Alpine F1 Team to promote Renault's sports car marque. After years of operating as a works team with its own Renault power units, Alpine transitioned to a Mercedes customer team from the 2026 season, seeking renewed competitiveness amidst management changes and fluctuating on-track performance.
Quick Answer
The Renault F1 Team rebranded as the Alpine F1 Team in 2021, continuing its participation in Formula 1 under the Alpine sports car brand. After supplying its own power units until the end of the 2025 season, Alpine transitioned to using Mercedes engines from 2026, becoming a customer team. As of August 2026, the BWT Alpine Formula One Team fields drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, with Flavio Briatore serving as Executive Advisor, and has shown improved performance in the first half of the 2026 season after a challenging 2025.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Renault Enters Formula 1 as Constructor
Renault makes its debut in Formula 1 as a constructor, pioneering the use of turbocharged engines.
First F1 Grand Prix Victory
Jean-Pierre Jabouille secures Renault's first Formula 1 victory at its home race, the French Grand Prix.
Renault Acquires Benetton Formula
Renault purchases the Benetton Formula 1 team, based in Enstone, UK, laying the groundwork for its return as a full factory team.
Team Rebranded as Renault F1 Team
The acquired Benetton team officially begins competing under the name Renault F1 Team.
Double World Championship Success
Renault F1 Team, with driver Fernando Alonso, wins both the Constructors' and Drivers' World Championships.
Second Consecutive Double Championship
Fernando Alonso and Renault F1 Team repeat their success, securing both World Championships for the second year in a row.
Renault Returns as Works Team
After selling the team in 2011 (which became Lotus F1 Team), Renault repurchases the Enstone outfit and re-enters Formula 1 as a full factory team, Renault Sport Formula One Team.
Rebrands to Alpine F1 Team
The Renault F1 Team is rebranded as the Alpine F1 Team to promote Renault's sports car brand. Esteban Ocon secures the team's first win under the new identity at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Technical Team Restructuring
Alpine F1 Team announces a significant organizational change, moving to a three-pillared technical director structure following disappointing performance.
Flavio Briatore Returns as Executive Advisor
Controversial former team principal Flavio Briatore is announced as an executive advisor to the Alpine F1 Team.
Announces Mercedes Engine Deal for 2026
Alpine confirms it will cease its works Renault power unit program and become a Mercedes customer team from the 2026 season.
Double Podium at São Paulo Grand Prix
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly achieve a surprise double podium finish at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, helping the team secure sixth place in the Constructors' Championship.
Challenging Season and Last in Constructors'
Alpine experiences a difficult 2025 season, finishing last in the Constructors' Championship with 22 points, largely due to focusing development on the 2026 regulations. Oliver Oakes is appointed Team Principal but resigns mid-season, and Franco Colapinto replaces Jack Doohan.
Becomes Mercedes Customer Team
Alpine officially begins competing with Mercedes power units, marking a significant shift from its long history as a Renault works team.
Mid-Season Performance Improvement and Gasly Podium
In the first half of the 2026 season, Alpine shows improved performance with its Mercedes power unit, moving into the midfield. Pierre Gasly achieves a podium finish at the Monaco Grand Prix (later confirmed).
Gucci to Become Title Sponsor
It is announced that Gucci will replace BWT as the title sponsor of the team from the 2027 season, rebranding the team as Gucci Racing Alpine Formula One Team.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The journey of the Renault F1 Team is characterized by multiple entries, exits, and rebrandings in Formula 1. Renault first entered F1 as a constructor in 1977, pioneering turbo engines, and achieved its first win in 1979. After a period as an engine supplier, Renault returned as a full works team in 2002, having acquired the Benetton team in 2000. This era saw significant success, with Fernando Alonso securing back-to-back Drivers' and Constructors' Championships in 2005 and 2006.
Following another period as primarily an engine supplier, during which it powered Red Bull Racing to four consecutive titles from 2010-2013, Renault re-purchased the Enstone-based team (then Lotus F1 Team) in 2016, marking its return as a full factory outfit. However, this second stint as Renault F1 Team did not yield championship success, with the team struggling to consistently challenge the front-runners. In 2020, as part of a broader strategic shift by Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo to sharpen focus on key brands, the team announced its rebranding to Alpine F1 Team for the 2021 season, promoting Renault's sports car division.
The Alpine era began with a notable victory for Esteban Ocon at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, the team's sole win under the Alpine name to date. However, the team faced ongoing challenges, including significant management changes in 2023 and 2024. Laurent Rossi was replaced as CEO by Philippe Krief in July 2023, and Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, Sporting Director Alan Permane, and CTO Pat Fry all departed in the same year. In March 2024, Alpine underwent a technical restructuring, introducing a three-pillared technical director approach. A major turning point came in May 2024 with the controversial return of Flavio Briatore as an executive advisor. Later in September 2024, Alpine announced a pivotal decision: it would cease its works Renault power unit program and become a customer team, securing a deal to use Mercedes engines from the 2026 season until at least 2030.
The 2025 season proved particularly difficult for Alpine, as the team opted to focus development on the new 2026 regulations, resulting in a last-place finish in the Constructors' Championship with only 22 points. Oliver Oakes, who had been appointed Team Principal, resigned mid-season in 2025, with Flavio Briatore assuming his duties alongside his executive advisor role. For the 2026 season, the BWT Alpine Formula One Team retained Pierre Gasly and promoted Franco Colapinto to a full-time race seat. The transition to Mercedes power units for 2026 marked a new chapter, with the team showing improved performance in the first half of the season, moving back into the midfield and achieving a podium finish for Gasly in Monaco (later confirmed). As of August 2026, Alpine is battling for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, demonstrating a recovery from its 2025 struggles. Looking ahead, Gucci is set to become the team's title sponsor from the 2027 season.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Renault F1 Team (now BWT Alpine Formula One Team) made different choices?