10/09/2025
NEWS STORY
Renault CEO Francois Provost has reiterated the company's commitment to its F1 programme with Alpine, even though it leaves the sport as a manufacturer at season end.
Speaking last month, having been appointed CEO of the French giant following Luca de Meo's departure, Provost was keen to talk down talk of Alpine being for sale.
"Formula 1 is part of our core strategy for Alpine, and this I do not intend to change," he said in a statement. "The unique priority for the Formula 1 team is performance, improved performance this year and, of course, moreover, to succeed in 2026 with the new car.
"This is a unique priority given to Formula 1," he added.
Despite the further assurances of Flavio Briatore and Pierre Gasly extending his contract with the team, doubts over it future remain, consequently, talking to Canal+ in Monza, Provost, on his first visit to a grand prix in his new role, was keen to reiterate Renault's commitment.
"My visit aims mainly to reaffirm we're staying in Formula 1," he said. "We're staying in Formula 1 for a long time."
Asked about the Gasly announcement, he said: "That's also a very positive sign. We are entering a new era, which will be a performance era but above all a stability era, Pierre's commitment demonstrates this well.
"Steve's appointment as managing director is a good example, too," he added, referring to the return of Steve Nielsen. "So, you see, we've made many steps forward."
Gasly has scored all of Alpine's points thus far, while Briatore has admitted that putting Colapinto in the second car hasn't worked out.
The French team is currently last in the standings, having scored points in just five outings, the best finish coming at Silverstone. However, with a Mercedes engine in the back better things are expected next season.
Other than fending off speculation over the F1 team, Provost has plenty more to deal with such as Renault's €11.2bn loss in the first half of the year - including a €9.3b write-down of its investment in Nissan, and consequently its share price dropping by almost 20 percent in July ahead of the financial report.