Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has opened up on the team's decision to switch to Mercedes powertrains for Formula 1's new rules for 2026, stating the team simply wanted "the best engine in the back of the car".
The team's parent company Renault had invested in F1's switch to a near-50:50 split between its internal combustion engine and electric motor, but elected to shutter down its powertrain project at Viry-Chatillon - prompting strikes and protests from its workforce.
