Italian Grand Prix – The Renault Sport F1 team will be renamed to Alpine from 2021, it has been revealed.
The change will come into effect at the start of the 2021 season and the team will sport a new livery in the French national colours of red, white, and blue.
As reported by FormulaSpy on Thursday, Renault Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul has been charged with heading up the creation and implementation of the Alpine business unit.
Alpine have a rich motorsports heritage that stretches through rallying and endurance racing and the Renault boss believes that the introduction of the budget cap will allow teams to compete on sporting merit.
“This change comes at a key moment in the trajectory of the team and the sport,” said Abiteboul. “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 motor sport 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.”
With Alpine being a brand within the Renault Groups’ umbrella, the team will continue to be supplied by Renault E-Tech engines. However the team will create a new chassis designation of A110 to reflect the changes and mirror the brand.
New Groupe Renault CEO Luca de Meo joined the company in July tying in with the signing of the new Concorde agreement that guarantees the teams’ commitment to F1 until 2025. De Meo hopes the new brand will bring an air of elegance to F1.
“Alpine is a beautiful brand, powerful and vibrant, that brings a smile to the faces of its followers,” said de Meo. “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.”
