Oliver Oakes has given a further insight into Alpine’s decision to use Mercedes power units from 2026 and beyond, with the team boss labelling the move a “statement of intent” as the squad look to move towards the front of the grid.
During a year that saw various personnel changes at the Enstone outfit – including the arrival of Oakes as their new Team Principal in the summer – a further significant development came in September with the confirmation that Alpine’s works engine programme will cease operations at the end of 2025.
It was later announced in November that Mercedes will supply Alpine’s power units from 2026 until at least the end of 2030. The deal also involves using the German manufacturer’s gearboxes from the start of 2026, though sources say Alpine are planning on producing their own gearbox in-house at Enstone from 2027.
Speaking during an appearance on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, Oakes explained that, while the decision was not an easy one, he believes that it reflects the team’s desire to keep on moving forwards.
“Times change and you can’t rest on your laurels,” said Oakes. “We have to be honest, the decision to become a customer team was in the right interests of the team. I know it was a difficult decision.
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“I know there’s a lot of emotion there because we are proud to be a works team and we still have a year all together [in 2025], but I do feel that was also a big statement of intent really of where we want to go.
“We’re not here just to be making up the numbers. We want to be pushing forward. I think I was pretty open, maybe too honest when I said, being selfish, I just want the best engine in the back of the car.
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“At the end of the day, for me, we’re here to go racing. I want to be at the front of the grid, I don’t want to be walking to the back. The choice we made was to get the best engine in the back of the car and help the team keep climbing back up the grid.”
When pushed on how Alpine can know that Mercedes will be strong in 2026, Oakes responded: “I think you can’t be dead sure, because nothing in life is a dead cert, but you have to be pragmatic there.
Alpine will run Mercedes power units in their cars from 2026 until at least the end of 2030
“I don’t know the full ins and outs of the decision because it was slightly before I started. But if I was to pick at it, I’d probably turn around and say, ‘well, history does show that every time there’s been a regulation change, they’ve been strong.’
“I think you could see at the moment the Mercedes powertrain is in the back of a customer that is fighting for the world championship. If I want to take a pragmatic choice, they stack up quite strongly.
“I think very early it was quite clear that, from a customer powertrain point of view, Mercedes was the obvious choice, simply as well because Aston [Martin] were moving to Honda already so there was almost a free spot there.”
Alpine ended the 2024 season in sixth place of the constructors’ championship, while the squad will field a new line-up in 2025 as rookie Jack Doohan joins the incumbent Pierre Gasly on the race team.
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