Alpine F1 Team
The French works team with a rich Enstone heritage.
Alpine Racing Limited, currently racing as BWT Alpine Formula One Team for sponsorship reasons, is the name under which the Enstone-based Formula One team has been competing since the start of the 2021 Formula One World Championship. Formerly named Renault F1 Team and owned by Groupe Renault as well as Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance, the team was rebranded for 2021 to promote Renault's sports car brand, Alpine, and continued to serve as Renault's works team. The team currently uses Mercedes engines, having previously done so as Lotus in 2015. The team is based in Enstone, Oxfordshire, England and competes with a French licence. The team currently fields Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto as its full-time drivers. In its current form as Alpine, the team's sole win was achieved by Esteban Ocon at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Quick Facts
- Sport
- Formula One
- Base
- Enstone
- United Kingdom & Viry-Châtillon
- France
- Status
- Active Constructor
- Lineage origin
- Benetton Formula (1983)
- Affiliation
- FIA Formula One World Championship
Lore & Background
The team has a long history, first competing in Formula One as Toleman, based in Witney, England. After purchase by Benetton Group, it was renamed Benetton, winning the Constructors' Championship and Michael Schumacher winning two Drivers' Championships. Prior to the season it moved to its current location in Enstone. Renault purchased the team, renamed it Renault F1 Team, and won Constructors' Championships in and with Fernando Alonso winning Drivers' Championships. Lotus Cars became a sponsor, and the team was named Lotus Renault GP, then Lotus F1 Team from 2012 to 2015. At the end of 2015, Renault took over again, renaming it Renault Sport Formula One Team, racing as Renault until the end of the 2020 season. The colloquialism 'Team Enstone' is used for the organisation's history. The team operates in a 17000 m2 facility on a 17 acre site in Enstone. By May 2023, Alpine had approximately 1,000 personnel in Enstone and 350 in Viry-Châtillon. In September 2020, Groupe Renault announced the use of 'Alpine' as the works team's new name. In June 2023, a group of investors including actor Ryan Reynolds agreed to pay €200 million for a 24% stake in the Alpine Formula One team. More investors joined later in 2023, including NFL players Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, golfer Rory McIlroy, former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, and footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Juan Mata. In 2025, Renault further adjusted ownership by selling an additional minority stake, reducing its shareholding to approximately 60%. In 2026, it was reported that Otro Capital was looking to sell its stake.
Reader's Guide
The team's racing history as Alpine began in 2021 with drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon. Alpine's first race ended with Alonso retiring and Ocon hit by Sebastian Vettel. Despite a disappointing start, Alpine scored in the next fifteen races, including a victory for Ocon at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix. In 2022, Otmar Szafnauer became team principal, and BWT became title sponsor. Alonso qualified second at the Canadian Grand Prix. For 2023, Alonso moved to Aston Martin, and Pierre Gasly signed a multiple-year contract. In July 2023, Laurent Rossi was replaced by Philippe Krief as CEO. During the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, Alpine announced Szafnauer and sporting director Alan Permane would leave after the race. Alpine finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship in 2023. For 2024, Alpine retained Gasly and Ocon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alpine F1 Team?
They are a French-owned constructor competing in the Formula One World Championship. The team embodies a blend of British manufacturing heritage and French motorsport passion.
What is the historical lineage of Alpine F1 Team?
While officially rebranded recently, their roots trace back through the Renault era to the historic Benetton works outfit from 1983.
Where are the Alpine F1 Team facilities located?
The team operates primarily from an Enstone facility in Oxfordshire alongside engineering support based at Viry-Châtillon in France.
What is the current status of the Alpine F1 Team?
They hold an active constructor status within the FIA Formula One World Championship.
More in Team History & Eras
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