Renault declare Alpine team not for sale despite offers ‘left and right’

Renault CEO Luca de Meo has asserted the Alpine Formula 1 squad is not for sale.

However, de Meo outlined that the company has received offers “left and right” from interested buyers.

A lacklustre start to the 2024 F1 campaign has seen Alpine compete towards the back of the field, scoring two points in the opening eight rounds.

The team has undergone a series of changes in senior management over the last 12 months and will also field an altered line-up next year after confirming that Esteban Ocon will leave at the end of the season.

But despite its on-track struggles, Renault is not looking to sell its team in the near future.

“I want to make this very clear. There is no way we are going to give up,” de Meo told Autocar. “It’s not my style. 

“We will not sell even a part of this thing. We don’t need the money. I’ve had people making offers left and right, then talking in the press about it.

“But we’re not interested. It would be stupid and I won’t do it.”

'Not in F1 to be tourists'

Since returning to F1 in 2016, Renault (and the rebranded Alpine team) have scored a high of fourth in the standings, coming in 2018 and 2022.

While de Meo has conceded that Alpine does not currently deserve a spot at the head of the field under current conditions, he has backed the Enstone-based outfit to improve ging forward.

“Alpine should be one of the teams in F1 with the broadest shoulders, because it has the backing of the Renault Group," he said. 

"I don’t think we deserve to be a top team at present, but we’re not in F1 to be tourists so we need to work hard. 

“Sure, we’ve made mistakes. It happens. But I think we’re right to put F1 at the core of Alpine, and to paint the car blue to represent a distinctive automotive culture. 

“This brand is totally legitimate because it was always in competition. But it can do much better, and I don’t want to miss the opportunity.”