New Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes has conceded he simply 'wants the best engine to go racing' as Renault prepares to sever its ties with Formula 1.
Following lengthy deliberation, the Renault Group has determined its factory at Viry-Châtillon will halt production of the power unit for 2026, when new regulations come into force, and exit F1 at the end of next year.
This has naturally provoked outrage amongst the workforce at the factory. Via a statement, it said it deplored the decision, accusing CEO Luca Di Meo and the board of failing the staff in numerous ways.
The tumult was one Oakes inherited when he took up his new role at the end of July, albeit with the summer break pending, he did not start work properly until the week of the Dutch Grand Prix.
Oakes concedes he found it "a bit uncomfortable" joining the team at that stage and "having all of that going on".
Speaking to RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview before Renault delivered its verdict at the end of September, Oakes said there was "a lot of admiration and respect for everybody at Viry from everyone within the team".
Confident the board was carefully considering its decision, the bottom line for him is an obvious one when an F1 team is judged on its performance.
"I guess, cruelly, for me as the team principal, I just want to have the best engine and go racing," he said. "That's the crux."
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'No one really cares'
Renault has been involved in F1, either as a team owner or engine manufacturer, since 1977, bar a two-year gap in the mid-80s.
The decision ends what will be, by the end of next year, almost 50 years of history for Renault and F1.
Suggested to Oakes that Alpine would lose its identity to a certain extent without Renault and Viry, the Briton was blunt in his response given what is at stake in F1.
"I would say there's a big history there from the Viry and Enstone side," said Oakes.
"But I would also say on the other side, if you're winning, no one really cares what's under the hood - and I mean that nicely."
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