Luca de Meo says Alpine required a significant overhaul in Formula 1 because the brand had become "invisible."
The Renault Group CEO acknowledged that the decision to cut the works F1 engine program at Viry-Chatillon was "heartbreaking" but made after "months and months of deliberation."
During this period, upset F1 engine staff at Viry protested publicly and even went on strike.
"I admire the commitment and tenacity of the people at Viry-Chatillon," de Meo told L'Equipe. "They have guts, and that's good news."
"But in Formula 1, we have become invisible. Two more years like this, and the project was going to collapse completely. We have to shake off the downward slope."
De Meo emphasized that from 2026, using a customer power unit—likely a Mercedes engine—would improve performance while reducing costs.
"The production costs of Formula 1 power units range between 200 and 250 million per year," he said, "in addition to an operating budget of 150 million."
"But given our championship standings, we are missing out on F1 bonuses. Sponsors are scarce and we have a hole in our pockets. My shareholders know how to count and Alpine has to make money," de Meo added.
"With our positions, 16th and 17th, we look like jokers."
He also criticized the 2026 regulations, calling them a "Frankenstein" solution based on compromise.
He dismissed claims that Flavio Briatore was brought in to dismantle the engine program and prepare the team for sale.
"I read that he was supposed to repackage the project in order to sell the team in the end," de Meo said. "That is completely wrong. I didn't bring him in to get out of Formula 1."
"I see the advantages for us of being in Formula 1. Flavio is at the heart of this revitalisation of the project. We are reorganising the team and we are focusing on Enstone."
"I understand the position of the fans," he added, "but I cannot decide like them, even if this is a very emotional issue even for me. I am passionate about racing and I had to make a decision against my feelings."
"I am deeply sorry to see so many people disappointed, but this is one of the aspects of my job. I am a manager who runs a listed company. I had to rethink the F1 project and find shortcuts and ways to make it a winner."
De Meo noted that Formula 1 has shifted in recent years, with "fans and sponsors" now focusing more on the team and car than the engine.
"Sponsors sign with McLaren, not the Mercedes that is under the hood."
"There are now more young people, more women—new customers that imply a different interpretation of the sport," he said. "And sponsors are rare. We are having a slump."
"Alpine has to make money."
While an easy way to achieve this would be to sell the team, de Meo revealed that he receives calls "every two weeks" from "eccentric people" willing to buy.
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"They know that getting into F1 after 2026 will be much more expensive," he said. "If I sell them the team for 1 billion, they could resell it in a year for double or triple that. They know that a team will be worth 3 or 5 billion."
"Being in F1 is essential for Alpine. We are in a closed club and this gives credibility to the brand among car enthusiasts. Plus, we do not need this money (from a team sale)," said de Meo, describing Alpine as a "family jewel."
