Confirmed: Renault F1 to be renamed Alpine F1 Team from 2021

Renault

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Confirmed: Renault F1 to be renamed Alpine F1 Team from 2021

Cars are expected to portray the French colours of red, white and blue

Ian Parkes

Sunday 6 September 2020 11:07

Renault has officially confirmed it is to be renamed Alpine F1 Team from 2021.

The French manufacturer has claimed the Alpine brand will be designated to the chassis and will be 'a key step to accelerate the development and influence of the brand'.

The team’s engine will continue to benefit from Groupe Renault's hybrid powertrains and its E-Tech name will be retained.

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Renault has stated the recent signing of the new Concorde agreements, with the capping of budgets and the implementation of new technical regulations from 2022, 'confirms the Group’s determination to return to the podium and win under its new colours'.

Groupe Renault CEO Luca De Meo, who took over the role in July, said: “Alpine is a beautiful brand, powerful and vibrant, that brings a smile to the faces of its followers.

"By introducing Alpine, a symbol of French excellence, to the most prestigious of the world’s automotive disciplines, we are continuing the adventure of manufacturers in a renewed sport.

"We are bringing a dream brand alongside the biggest names, for spectacular car races made and followed by enthusiasts. Alpine will also bring its values to the F1 paddock: elegance, ingenuity and audacity.”

Renault team principal Cyril Abiteboul added: “This change comes at a key moment in the trajectory of the team and the sport.

"Alpine brings a new meaning, new values and colours to the paddock with the spirit of competition from other worlds and French creative agility. These will be assets in the preparation of 2022 deadlines.

"The new regulatory and financial framework will establish the conditions for a fairer motorsport in its redistribution of revenues; simpler and progressive in its governance.

"The implementation of the 'budget cap' will put an end to the expense race and will allow the signatory teams to be measured for their sporting value. Alpine has its place in Formula 1 and can challenge for victory.”

The move comes as part of Renault's restructuring of its four brands - Renault, Alpine, Dacia and New Mobility - under De Meo, who is in attendance at Monza for this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

Renault purchased the Alpine brand in 1973, although it only restarted producing road cars again in 2017 following a 22-year break, rolling out the two-seater sports coupé, the A110, that remains its only model at present.

In motorsport, Alpine has been involved with the Signatech outfit in LMP2.

On Thursday, as part of the Alpine overhaul, it was confirmed via a Groupe Renault statement that Abiteboul would be placed in charge of the "creation, organisation and implementation" of the Alpine brand, in tandem with his current role.

Renault now becomes the fourth in recent years to be renamed following Sauber's switch to Alfa Romeo, Toro Rosso becoming AlphaTauri, while Racing Point will be renamed Aston Martin from next season.