Uncertainty Looms Over Alpine’s Future in Formula 1

Formula 1 pundit Eddie Jordan has raised doubts about Alpine’s continued presence on the F1 grid in the upcoming seasons amidst their dismal performance and internal upheavals.

Alpine, formerly known as Renault and Lotus, has had a challenging start to the current season, failing to secure a single point. Jordan, speaking on the Formula For Success podcast, suggested that Alpine’s days in their current form could be numbered.

Once a powerhouse that clinched two world championships with Fernando Alonso in 2005 and 2006, the team has struggled since its rebranding as Alpine in 2020. 

Despite a significant investment of $200 million from high-profile celebrities like Ryan Reynolds, Anthony Joshua, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alpine’s performance has plummeted, slipping to the back of the grid this year after a sixth-place finish in the 2023 championship.

Eddie Jordan makes Alpine sale prediction

Jordan, a former team owner and F1 analyst, didn’t mince his words, labeling Alpine’s current car as “embarrassing” for drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, both of whom have shown winning potential. 

He said: “At the moment, they are the most floundering team. It is absolutely embarrassing. I find it embarrassing to watch Gasly and Ocon, who are capable of winning races.

“Do I see them there next year? Absolutely not. Not a chance.”

“I think it’s wide open for a sale. I think Renault have pulled back from it – they don’t want to spend the money on the engines, and the engines for 2026 are such a big outlay in terms of development and cost, it’s frightening.”

He suggested that Renault’s diminishing commitment to the team could pave the way for a sale before the 2025 season, especially considering the substantial investment required for engine development under the new regulations slated for 2026.

Anthony Joshua and co. will be hugely disappointed

The potential sale raises questions for investors like Anthony Joshua, Ryan Reynolds, and others, who may have to reconsider their stakes in the team amidst its on-track struggles and internal turmoil. 

Key departures from the team, including CEO Laurent Rossi and team principal Otmar Szafnauer, further underscore the challenges facing Alpine.

With F1 expert Gary Anderson describing the team as “internally exploding,” prospective buyers are keenly aware of the impending regulatory changes that could reshape the competitive landscape in the years to come. 

As Alpine navigates through turbulent waters, the future of the team hangs in the balance, awaiting decisive actions to steer it back on course.