Renault CEO criticises Alpine investors as providing 'no value'

Renault Group CEO Francois Provost has publicly dismissed minority shareholder Otro Capital as providing "no added value," confirming the partnership was "not successful." With Renault holding veto power over the 24% stake until September, the manufacturer is deliberately blocking any rushed sale until it finds an investor aligned with its F1 ambitions.

Why it matters:

After years of management upheaval and a dead-last finish in 2025, Alpine is finally showing modest recovery in 2026. Provost's blunt dismissal signals Renault is done with passive partners who brought celebrity hype but no operational substance, insisting any new shareholder must share common goals rather than simply inject capital.

The details:

• Otro Capital holds no operational role, leaving Renault solely responsible for running the team, which is why Provost sees "no urgency" to approve a sale.
• Renault blocked recent talks after Mercedes withdrew from negotiations in May, with Provost emphasizing the company will "keep the control" while seeking a strategic fit.
• Alpine sits fifth in the 2026 constructors' standings, just one point ahead of Racing Bulls, following a stronger start after finishing last the previous season.
• Provost, who became Renault CEO in July 2025, reaffirmed F1 as a "core pillar" and rejected any suggestion the brand might leave grand prix racing.

What's next:

• The priority is robust recovery over speed, with Provost targeting consistent point-scoring in 2026 to build "strong foundations" rather than chasing rushed milestones.
• Despite speculation about future V8 engines from 2031, Provost ruled out reviving Renault's works engine program, calling it "not our strategy" while backing the V8 direction only if it retains some electrification.
• Renault will continue vetting potential minority partners carefully, ensuring any future shareholder brings genuine strategic value rather than just financial relief.