Former Renault engineers are outraged by Alpine’s decision

From 1981 to 1999, Bruno Madui was responsible for the development of Renault F1 engines. Famous engineer in interview L’Equipe was outraged by the company’s decision to stop working on power units for Formula 1.

Bruno Madui: “I was 99% sure. The decision was already made in August. This is a shameful and sad page in the long history of Viri engines, the result of ten years of mismanagement, satisfaction with poor results and work for only one team.

Today we have no arguments to continue. We’re told the 2026 engine will be a step forward, but we can’t use that as an argument for continuing. What has been done in recent years is not enough. And everyone is to blame for this.

Results are the only thing that says something about the quality of your work. If they don’t exist, things get worse. A year or two ago I was unhappy with the situation, but now it’s a pain.

Renault engines had no customers with whom to compare the results of the factory team. We should have acted more courageously, instead of waiting and being satisfied with poor results. Each of us had to rebel within ourselves. I hope the staff will save this place, because everything changes quickly in the motorsport world, but the foundation of our building is already badly damaged.

I have many memories of my time at Viri. Happy and sad. Those were good times. We were all moving towards one common goal, it was easy for us to work together. Every day we felt the satisfaction of knowing that today we would be stronger than the day before. But time passed and the former job satisfaction was gone. Two years ago I said to them when I left, “You broke the toys.”

Madui is not the only one disappointed with Renault’s decision. Former Renault F1 engine department director Denis Chevrier, who was fired in 2009, agrees.

Denis Chevrier: “Alpine wanted to make Formula 1 cheap, so they failed to switch to hybrid power plants. If you don’t invest resources in such a high-tech company, you will be living in the past while your ship loses speed little by little. We have had a period of success, managers wanted to achieve the same thing for less money, but in an environment of technological excellence this is not possible.

The powerplant was the victim of a conspiracy by the chassis team to hide its inability to build fast cars. There was no one to compare to; other teams did not use Renault engines, which is very dangerous for the manufacturer. And the chassis department continued to have fun with its wings.

This engine is not the best in Formula 1, but the decision made is the opposite of what a boss should make if he strives for the perfection of his company. If there is one element in motorsport that a manufacturer must rely on most to push its road cars forward, it is the engine.”