Renault's Formula 1 team, Alpine, appears to be heading for a sale, according to Dutch journalist Jack Plooij.
The struggling outfit has already announced a significant shift, abandoning its 2026 works engine program in favor of customer Mercedes engines and gearboxes for 2026.
Plooij believes this is just one part of a broader strategy. "The Alpine team is going to be transferred to Hitech," he told Ziggo Sport. "There was a lot of unrest, and it is clear that something is happening, thanks to Flavio Briatore."
Renault CEO Luca de Meo has brought in Briatore as an executive F1 advisor, a move seen as instrumental in reshaping the team. Briatore was then involved in appointing Oliver Oakes, formerly of Hitech, as Alpine's new team boss.
This restructuring could make Alpine more appealing to potential buyers and investors.
Dutch Grand Prix boss Jan Lammers shares this perspective. "It looks like Renault are slowly preparing an exit," he said. "They're not leaving all at once, but first the team switched from Renault to Alpine, now Alpine is getting a Mercedes engine. This exit is happening in a filtered way."
Oakes' links to Hitech have fueled speculation that the F2 and F3 team could step into Formula 1 by acquiring Alpine. Hitech previously attempted to join the grid for 2026 but was rejected, partly due to concerns about its former ties to the Mazepin family and its mysterious new backers.
However, Dutch journalist Rick Winkelman dismisses the idea that Dmitry Mazepin or his son Nikita are involved in this latest development. "I don't think so," Winkelman said. "It's been quiet around Nikita Mazepin for too long, so I don't see him getting in again."
