Alpine F1 has unveiled a major strategic shift, announcing it will develop its own gearbox again starting in 2027 after relying on a Mercedes component for the 2026 season. This move comes as part of a sweeping transformation aimed at returning the team to the upper echelons of Formula 1.
The decision reflects a calculated approach to balance performance with resource allocation amid the dramatic technical regulation changes coming in 2026, which will introduce smaller, lighter cars and active aerodynamics.
Strategic Pause: Mercedes Gearbox for One Season
Team Principal Oliver Oakes, appointed in 2024 as part of Alpine’s leadership overhaul, explained the rationale behind temporarily outsourcing the gearbox to Mercedes:
“We’re taking that [gearbox] just for one year in 2026. It gives us a bit of headroom during that regulation change to have one less thing to worry about,” Oakes told Autosport.
He emphasized the team’s proven track record in designing competitive gearboxes, stating, “Our own gearbox is in the car now, and it’s performing. It will return in 2027 and beyond.”
The short-term partnership will free Alpine’s resources to focus on adapting to the new rules while maintaining its trajectory of improvement.
Overhauling Alpine: The Briatore and Oakes Era
Since Renault CEO Luca de Meo initiated Alpine’s transformation in 2024, the team has undergone seismic changes. The boldest move was scrapping Renault’s half-century-old in-house engine project in favor of becoming a Mercedes power unit customer starting in 2026. This controversial decision was championed by Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, a key figure in the team’s ambitious new direction.
Under Oakes and Technical Director David Sanchez, Alpine also revamped its engineering structure and set aggressive performance goals. These changes bore fruit in late 2024 when a crucial upgrade and some good fortune propelled Alpine from ninth to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship over the season’s final six races.
The Road to Glory: Lofty Goals for 2025 and Beyond
Briatore laid out Alpine’s roadmap for success in Auto Motor und Sport:
- 2025: Consistently finish in the top six and secure occasional podiums.
- 2026: Achieve podium finishes in 50% of races and claim race victories.
- 2027: Compete for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
Oakes acknowledged the delicate balancing act required to maintain competitiveness in 2025 while preparing for the sweeping 2026 regulations. “We want to have a good ’25, but it won’t be easy with so much carryover from this year,” he admitted.
While some rival teams have hinted at sacrificing 2025 development to focus entirely on 2026, Oakes dismissed these statements as strategic posturing: “You wonder when teams come out with comments like that… From my side, we need to deliver across the next three years.”
Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond
Alpine’s decision to return to in-house gearbox production underscores its commitment to regaining control over critical performance elements. With the team poised to re-enter the title fight by 2027, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“Our job will be judged over a five-year period—2023 to 2027,” Oakes noted, signaling the long-term vision driving Alpine’s revolution.
This bold strategy, coupled with Alpine’s partnership with Mercedes and its independent ambitions, places the team in a strong position to capitalize on the upcoming regulation changes and reclaim its place among F1’s elite.