It’s pronounced Al-peen, not Al-pine.
Renault Formula 1 team has announced that beginning the 2021 season next year, the French racing outfit would henceforth be known as the Alpine Formula 1 team.
The introduction of the Alpine name to the grid harks back to the sporting legacy of the iconic (long-dormant) French sports car maker that has since been newly revived with the Alpine A110 sports car. According to Renault, the emergence of this name on the F1 grid will be ‘a key step to accelerate the development and influence of the brand.’
This rebranding exercise comes after all 10 current F1 teams on the grids have signed the new Concorde agreement, which pertains to new technical regulations for the 2022 season of the sport, not to mention the budget caps that will be enforced starting from the next season.
Along with the name change, the black and yellow paint scheme on the current Renault Sport Formula 1 cars are to be replaced with an alleged red-white blue colour scheme, supposedly to match the colours of the French flag.
Piloting these newly liveried cars next year will be Frenchman Esteban Ocon and two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso.
2021 will be the second season for Esteban racing with this French racing outfit based in Enstone, UK. Fernando Alonso meanwhile has been brought out of retirement to replace Daniel Ricciardo, who will be leaving for McLaren in the next season.
News of Alonso’s reemergence on the grid has already caused great excitement in the paddock. Not least because Alonso has formerly achieved his two world championship titles with Renault, but also because judging by Renault’s current performance in the 2020 Formula 1 season, there actually may be a genuine chance to see either member of the Alpine team step on the podium in the 2021 season.
That said, with Alpine being on the grid for the next season, 40% of the grid will now have names beginning with A. Alpine joins the ranks of Alfa Romeo (formerly Sauber), Alpha Tauri (formerly Toro Rosso) and the rumoured Aston Martin Racing (formerly Racing Point) as being teams on the grid that start with A. Perhaps Formula 1 might want to rebrand as Formula A instead?
PRESS RELEASE: By naming its team Alpine from the 2021 season, Groupe Renault has chosen to put the colours of French excellence at the heart of Formula 1. Already recognized for its records and successes in endurance and rallying, the Alpine name naturally finds its place in the high standards, prestige and performance of Formula 1.
The Alpine brand, a symbol of sporting prowess, elegance and agility, will be designated to the chassis and pay tribute to the expertise that gave birth to the A110. For Alpine, this is a key step to accelerate the development and influence of the brand. The team’s engine will continue to benefit from Groupe Renault’s unique expertise in hybrid powertrains and its E- Tech name will be retained.
The signing of the new Concorde agreements, with the capping of budgets and the implementation of new technical regulations from 2022, confirms the Group’s determination to return to the podium and win under its new colours.
Luca De Meo, C.E.O Groupe Renault
“Alpine is a beautiful brand, powerful and vibrant, that brings a smile to the faces of its followers. By introducing Alpine, a symbol of French excellence, to the most prestigious of the world’s automotive disciplines, we are continuing the adventure of manufacturers in a renewed sport. We are bringing a dream brand alongside the biggest names, for spectacular car races made and followed by enthusiasts. Alpine will also bring its values to the F1 paddock: elegance, ingenuity, and audacity.”
Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal Renault DP World F1 Team
“This change comes at a key moment in the trajectory of the team and the sport. Alpine brings a new meaning, new values and colours to the paddock with the spirit of competition from other worlds and French creative agility. These will be assets in the preparation of 2022 deadlines. The new regulatory and financial framework will establish the conditions for a fairer motor sport in its redistribution of revenues; simpler and progressive in its governance. The implementation of the “budget cap” will put an end to the expense race and will allow the signatory teams to be measured for their sporting value. Alpine has its place in Formula 1 and can challenge for victory.”
