Renault has decided not to block disaffected engine staff at Viry-Chatillon from moving immediately to rival Formula 1 teams.

Group CEO Luca de Meo, speaking to L'Equipe, expressed his regret to employees who are frustrated by the company's decision to end Alpine's works engine program.

"I am deeply sorry," de Meo said, referring to the anger and disappointment among the staff.

He explained that Viry will be transformed into Alpine Hypertech, a forward-looking technology hub, with no job losses.

"There will be an F1 technology group to think about the next (F1) engine regulations cycle after 2030," de Meo explained. "And other long-term projects around a Supercar and new technologies.

"Without job losses - that's guaranteed."

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur, who led Renault's works F1 team in 2016, told the same publication that his mailbox is full of CVs from Renault F1 staff looking to switch teams.

"It's emotionally hard to see what's happening at Viry-Chatillon," Vasseur added.

"I know people who have been there for 30 years, who I see from time to time. And over this time, they have been remarkable, with many titles to their name. I think it's a shame that it's coming to an end."

Despite the unrest, de Meo confirmed that he won't enforce typical 'gardening leave' periods for staff who decide to move on.

"If there are some who are positively driven by the idea of making an F1 engine, they will have no problem repositioning themselves," de Meo remarked.

He further confirmed that Vasseur reached out to ask if Renault could bypass the typical gardening leave requirements.

"Fred Vasseur called us to ask if he could get people out of our company and avoid them having to go on gardening leave before going to work for him," de Meo said.

"Ok, that's life," he added with a smile.

"We're not going to imprison our people." body check tags ::