Alpine no longer concerned with engine equalisation: 'Looking ahead to 2026'

Plans for a possible equalisation of Formula 1 engines - because the Renault/Alpine power unit is less powerful than the other engines - have been scrapped, Autosport.com reports.

Alpine has withdrawn a series of proposals relating to engine upgrades. These proposals did not receive the full support of other teams, leading to the FIA review of the situation being closed. In July, there was first talk of engine equalisation at the F1 Commission after an FIA analysis revealed that Alpine's current engine specifications, which are fixed until 2026, would have 20 to 33 HP less than engines from Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda.

Remedy difference

The FIA says the F1 Commission has been discussing ways to reduce the power difference: "The power unit manufacturers represented at the Commission agreed to give a mandate to the Power Unit Advisory Committee to consider this topic and bring proposals back to the Commission."

That approval came after the FIA looked at engine performance over the first half of the current season. The FIA was able to do this - despite the engine freeze - because it was decided at the beginning of this cycle of engine rules that there should be a moment when engines could possibly be adjusted. So that moment was sometime this season. It was a safety net to prevent an engine manufacturer from falling behind until 2026 if there was too big a difference in engine performance.

Alpine responds

Alpine has, therefore, withdrawn the requests despite the possibility from the FIA, and the FIA has accepted this. It is claimed that it became clear to Alpine that other teams would not provide full support, despite being mutually agreed among the teams in the form of a 'gentleman's agreement'.

Interim Alpine team boss Bruno Famin responds: "Following discussions with the FIA regarding engine equalisation, we, as a power unit manufacturer, actively made the decision not to take the matter further. Moreover, for such a small performance gain, it would be a distraction in our efforts towards the development of the 2026 PU project."