F1 Today | Alpine could get new name over Gucci deal, Wolff urged to cut McLaren engine supply
Photo: Alpine BTW Formula 1 Team
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
From Alpine possibly changing their name over a potential Gucci sponsorship, to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff being told to cut the Silver Arrows' engine deal with McLaren, here are the main stories from today, May 12.
Alpine may get a new name in 2027 due to a mega deal with Gucci
With Alpine's title sponsorship with BWT expected to come to an end after the current season, GPblog understands luxury brand Gucci could be set to replace the water technology company, with a potential new name being Gucci Alpine Formula One team.
A connection between Alpine and Gucci is already easily made - since September last year, Luca de Meo has been the CEO of Kering. Prior to June 2025, De Meo had been CEO of Renault, Alpine's parent company, and a driving force behind the Formula 1 team.
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It is unknown how much Gucci is willing to spend for Alpine’s title sponsorship. In any case, such a major sponsorship would surely bring the French team tens of millions.
GPblog have asked Alpine about the collaboration with Gucci, with the team responing with the following statement: "Alpine Formula One Team is constantly looking for new partnership opportunities and in contact with a wide range of brands and companies as potential partners. The discussions are however always kept confidential and they are disclosed only when confirmed and agreed by all parties."
This photo is made by AI and GPblog
Wolff urged to halt Mercedes engine supply to McLaren
Meanwhile, former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has made the bold suggestion that Mercedes should reconsider supplying power units to McLaren, especially considering the Woking team's success of recent years - winning three world titles across the last two seasons.
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Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner admitted that if he were in Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff's shoes, he would seriously consider cutting off McLaren's engine supply. He said: “If I were Toto, I would do that. It’s an easy solution to avoid getting beaten.
"Alright, I just wouldn’t give you an engine anymore. You need to supply engines by regulation, but only to a maximum of two other teams. You’re not obliged to do more than that. Alpine and Williams, done. But again, Toto is a sportsman. He gives his best piece to his biggest opponent.”
Photo: Race Pictures
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