In the world of automobiles, loyalty is as valuable as a well-tuned engine. In Viry-Châtillon, this loyalty seems to have been called into question, much to the dismay of Mayor Jean-Marie Vilain, who denounces a renunciation by Renault. The announcement of the end of the F1 engine programme resembles an unexpected plot twist, and the consequences could make waves.
The storm in a petrol tank
Has the Renault group really turned the page on its commitments to the Viry-Châtillon site? That is the question posed by Mayor Jean-Marie Vilain following the announcement of the end of the F1 engine programme scheduled for September 2024. In a social media post, accompanied by a video and a press release, he did not mince his words, mentioning a true “betrayal” by the diamond brand.
To recall, when announcing the suspension of this flagship programme, which left the work on the 2026 engine in oblivion, Renault had promised to transform the historic site into “Hypertech Alpine”. This centre of excellence was to be dedicated to future projects, including the development of a future Alpine supercar, research on hydrogen and electric engines, while keeping an eye on Formula 1. Everything seemed like a seduction operation to appease the fears of the employees.
Promises on paper
The day after the announcement, representatives of Alpine Racing employees expressed their concerns. They pointed out the lack of clarity regarding “the content, resources, and sustainability of the new projects”. The monitoring cell for F1 seemed under-resourced, hinting at an uncertain future for Alpine as an engine supplier.
A year and a half later, when the sky seemed to be clearing, Jean-Marie Vilain raised his voice. On February 8, he publicly denounced what he considers a betrayal. According to his revelations, Renault has decided to abandon its commitments regarding the Alpine site, an announcement that was to be made at a Works Council meeting scheduled for February 12. “My astonishment is proportional to my anger at this renunciation and this breach of the word given,” he declared vehemently.
The incendiary statement
The mayor did not beat around the bush in his press release titled “Lies and betrayal of the Renault group regarding the Alpine site in Viry-Châtillon”. He recalls how, following the announcement on September 30, 2024, the city had bitterly accepted the end of the Formula 1 engine development. However, the promises made about the creation of a centre of engineering excellence had brought a glimmer of comfort.
Vilain mentions a monitoring committee, established under the auspices of the Essonne prefecture, which had met to follow the evolution of the projects. “While we wished to reconvene this monitoring committee, how shocked was I to learn that Renault was renouncing its commitments,” he declared indignantly. For him, it is simply scandalous and incomprehensible, especially after the good results obtained by the group.
A paradoxical situation
Ironically, while Renault showed an increase of nearly 7% in its turnover in the third quarter of 2025, the promises made to Viry-Châtillon seem to evaporate like a cloud of smoke. “It is even more incomprehensible that Renault began to see good results after a historic first victory of the A424 in the World Endurance Championship at the 6 Hours of Fuji,” he specifies. A victory that should evoke pride and motivation, but which seems to have been overshadowed by questionable decisions.
The consequences of a lack of trust
The mayor’s reaction is not simply a storm in a teacup. It raises crucial questions about the trust between Renault and its employees, as well as the future of the automotive industry in France. Is the promise of a centre of excellence nothing more than a facade to hide a much darker reality? The future of French motorsport could depend on how Renault manages this situation.
It is clear that Alpine employees will not be satisfied with pretty words. Jean-Marie Vilain has even threatened to take all possible actions to counter what he considers a betrayal. “I reserve the right to take all possible actions against this betrayal,” he declared, determined to defend the interests of his fellow citizens and the employees.
What prospects?
As rumours circulate and the atmosphere becomes heavier around the Viry-Châtillon site, it is legitimate to wonder what the next steps for Renault will be. Will the groups be able to right the ship and regain lost trust? Will the promises made to employees be respected or will they turn into mere empty words? One thing is certain: the echo of this betrayal will resonate for a long time in the factory halls.
In an automotive universe undergoing transformation, where innovation must go hand in hand with responsibility, Renault finds itself at a crossroads. The shadow of Viry-Châtillon looms over the manufacturer: the road to redemption will be fraught with obstacles.
