Employees at Renault’s Viry-Chatillon engine manufacturing facility have accused the corporate of shunning its heritage.
It is failure to familiarize yourself with the hybrid period apart, Renault does certainly have a wealthy, proud historical past within the sport even when it hasn’t at all times taken benefit of the very fact.
Now, following official affirmation that Renault engines will probably be seen on the F1 grid for the final time in 2025, leaving Alpine to run Mercedes energy items, employees on the Viry-Chatillon facility have accused the legendary French producer of placing cash earlier than custom and historical past.
“All employees representatives, representing the voice of staff and a majority of stakeholders, remorse and deplore the choice to cease F1 engines in 2026,” mentioned the Viry Social and Financial Committee (CSE) in a press release.
“This alternative is endorsed by the group, which needs to scale back the monetary danger surrounding F1, although no severe research has been performed to evaluate the affect on future gross sales and the status of the model.
“Partnership options have been rejected by the group, although they might have made it potential to fulfill a number of goals: sustaining F1 exercise, decreasing growth and working prices, sustaining all abilities, and the potential of bringing an already largely developed and promising RE26 engine to the 2026 season.”
In its assertion confirming the withdrawal Renault insisted that it’s going to proceed to keep watch over F1 with a view to a potential return. Nevertheless, the CSE warns that the decimation of employees will make this inconceivable.
“The historical past of the Viry website reveals that conflicting choices have typically been taken, and demonstrates the significance of sustaining extremely certified abilities for the longer term with a purpose to depart the door open to a return to F1 when the rules and the monetary context of the shareholder make it extra engaging.
Aside from the apparent job losses, the CSE warned of the top of the Alpine Mechanical Excellence Competitors, an apprenticeship programme backed by the federal government which promotes range and alternative in motorsport.
Not least, the Viry employees are in disbelief that regardless of the onerous work and funding, the 2026 engine challenge is to be shelved.
“Regardless of the turmoil of the final two months, the Viry crew has continued to develop the ability of the 2026 engine that Alpine is depriving itself of,” mentioned the assertion because the CSE known as on public authorities to voice their concern over the sustainability of the enduring facility.
