Rival teams have downplayed the significance of Renault potentially exiting as a Formula 1 engine manufacturer.

Renault is currently altering the function of its F1 engine division at Viry-Chatillon, and is discussing future collaborations with potential suppliers of power units for 2026 and beyond.

"I think it's always bad news when you lose an OEM," RB team principal Laurent Mekies commented.

"Obviously, one of the big targets of these new regulations for 2026 was to attract more OEMs. So ultimately, if it goes, it means that we'll get plus one with Audi and minus one with Alpine. It's not good news, but luckily it comes at a time where there are many manufacturers in Formula 1.

"So I would say that the sport can well afford this change," added the Frenchman.

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, who speaks for the Audi-acquired Sauber team, concurs with Mekies that Renault's potential step back doesn't signify a failure of the 2026 engine regulations.

"I think that the PU regulations are very attractive for new manufacturers and of course Audi is the perfect example," he explained. "So I think that is something different from the decision from Renault.

"I think as Formula 1, we need to be clear on this. Sometimes it can happen."

Meanwhile, while Renault may be stepping back from engine manufacturing, Red Bull is doing the exact opposite - establishing its own power unit division, building on its chassis design expertise.

Christian Horner, the team boss at Red Bull, mentioned his openness to offering Red Bull-Ford engines to client teams eventually. "With our facilities, we can supply engines to four teams," he stated. "In the short term we are focusing on the two Red Bull teams, but we are open to this in the future."

The Formula 1 community is keenly observing Renault-Alpine's forthcoming steps in the sport, amid rumors that new strategic advisor Flavio Briatore is being positioned to groom the team for a potential sale.

According to Auto Bild, the appointment of Hitech founder Oliver Oakes as the new team boss is an indication that Alpine might soon be owned by investors associated with Russian billionaire Dmitry Mazepin, whose son Nikita formerly raced for Haas.

"The new shareholder (at Hitech) since 2023 is Vladimir Kim, a billionaire from the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan," noted journalist Ralf Bach.

"He is also considered a confidant of Mazepin. Briatore also has connections to Russia and Azerbaijan," he added. body check tags ::