Overview
- Mayor Jean-Marie Vilain issued a statement alleging Renault has scrapped previously pledged plans to convert the Viry-Chatillon facility into an engineering center of excellence.
- Alpine said it cannot confirm the mayor’s claim and confirmed a works-council meeting on February 12 to brief unions, without disclosing the agenda.
- Earlier proposals for the Viry site under the 'Hypertech Alpine' concept included hydrogen power development, battery and electric R&D, a next supercar project, and support for WEC, Formula E, and rally-raid activities.
- Media reports and paddock speculation suggest Alpine’s WEC Hypercar program may end after 2026, which the company has neither confirmed nor denied.
- The F1 power-unit program ended after 2025 with Alpine switching to Mercedes engines from 2026, a move Flavio Briatore said he drove, while unions report accelerated staff departures from Viry.