Mercedes learn deadline for critical F1 decision with Toto Wolff set for major windfall

Mercedes will learn within ‘four or five’ weeks whether or not Alpine have decided to switch from their own power units for 2026 and beyond. The Enstone-based team have been weighing up ditching their own engine project in favour of becoming a customer team.

As things stand, Mercedes have three customer teams with McLaren, Williams and Aston Maritn all using engines produced in the team’s Brixworth facility, but the latter of that trio are leaving the Silver Arrows’ stable in 2026, moving to Honda power for the new engine regulations in an exclusive deal.

However, Toto Wolff could gain a new customer in the form of Alpine. The French constructor have been using their own power units since returning to the sport, but talks started earlier this season regarding a deal that would see them use engines, gearboxes and suspensions from Mercedes.

Offering an update on the situation amid frustrations from the organisation’s employees, Renault CEO Luca de Meo told Motorsport.com: "We have four or five weeks to define the situation in the board.

“We are analysing how to approach F1 from 2026 in order to be more competitive and we are evaluating every opportunity. The idea of switching to Mercedes engines is on the table, but I can assure you that there is no choice done yet."

He then added: "If we make a purely financial analysis of how much it costs to make a 2026 power unit in-house and how much you could save with a customer engine, the difference becomes enormous.

“So whoever looks at the numbers can only sense what may be the opportunity to go into the new F1 regulations with a more competitive but less expensive project. Having said that, I would add that the proposal is on the table, but there has been no decision by the board.

“This is one of the aspects that is being discussed with so many other important points on how we will approach F1 in the future. Here's where so many other factors come into play that will lead to a decision: what does marketing think? What would be the negative consequences of this choice vs a huge financial saving?"

The stance of the employees at Viry-Chatillon was markedly different from that of De Meo. With their jobs on the line, over 100 members of staff turned out in the grandstands at Monza two weeks ago to protest the decision, with both Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon expressing their empathy for the Renault crew.