Alpine ‘exploring’ technical partnership with Mercedes

• Partnership set to include engine, gearbox and suspension
• Talks are at an ‘advanced stage’ but could still take weeks to finalise

The Alpine Formula One team is exploring a technical partnership with Mercedes, according to Autosport.

Reports suggest this partnership will include an engine, gearbox and suspension supply. It could even start as early as the 2025 season.

It emerged in June that Alpine was exploring the potential options if it discarded its engine programme as it began to question the millions invested in its power unit for little on-track return.

New Alpine Formula One advisor Flavio Briatore was reportedly spotted in Mercedes’ motorhome several times throughout last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, with the German team now the leading option for the Renault-owned outfit.

With Alpine’s fuel and lubricant suppliers BP and Castrol switching to Audi from 2026, it appears to be a matter of time before the Enstone-based team confirms its transition to a customer team.

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Autosport reports that talks are at an advanced stage, but the next phase of the process could still take several weeks or more with no final contract signed.

Mercedes would be looking to replicate its deal with Aston Martin. The Silverstone-based team is switching to Honda engines from 2026, so Mercedes clearly has the capacity to supply another outfit.

“That’s a complicated situation because we like the thought of replacing Aston Martin with another team, because of the sheer learning you’re doing,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Autosport ahead of the British Grand Prix.

“I think we’re set up as an organisation that the more power units, the better it is in terms of accelerating some of the developments or the reliability.

“It didn’t go beyond the point of exchanging opinions or having exploratory discussions.

“Alpine [needs to] take a decision, do they want to continue with their Formula One engine programme or not?

“And only when they have taken that strategic decision, we would dive into our agreements. But we’re open-minded, and that’s what we have told them.”