Alpine’s big move to switch to Mercedes power units in 2026 has raised plenty of eyebrows, but for Oliver Oakes, it’s all about ambition. Speaking on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, Oakes made it clear the Enstone team is not content with playing second fiddle.
“We’re not here just to be making up the numbers,” Oakes said. “We want to be pushing forward. At the end of the day, for me, we’re here to go racing. I want to be at the front of the grid.”
The decision marks the end of Alpine’s works engine program, which will cease operations after 2025. For a team with such a proud history of independence, this is a very big shift.
“Times change, and you can’t rest on your laurels,” Oakes explained. “The decision to become a customer team was in the right interests of the team. I know it was a difficult decision, and there’s a lot of emotion there”.
Alpine’s new deal with Mercedes doesn’t stop at engines. The team will also use Mercedes gearboxes from 2026, though they plan to develop their own in-house by 2027.
Why Mercedes? Oakes pointed to history. “Every time there’s been a regulation change, they’ve been strong” he said. “At the moment, the Mercedes powertrain is in the back of a customer that is fighting for the world championship.”
Timing also played a big role. Aston Martin’s switch to Honda opened the door for Alpine to step in as a Mercedes customer. Oakes sees this as a pragmatic decision, one that sets the team up for the next era of Formula 1.
A Tough Pill to Swallow
For some people, the idea of Alpine becoming a customer team might sting. But Oakes is laser-focused on performance. “I think I was pretty open, maybe too honest, when I said, being selfish, I just want the best engine in the back of the car,” he admitted.
The team’s sixth-place finish in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship is not where they want to stay.
Oakes was clear: this switch is all about moving forward, not looking back. With rookie Jack Doohan joining Pierre Gasly in 2025 and Flavio Briatore back in the mix, Alpine is making changes on all fronts.
“You can’t be dead sure, because nothing in life is a dead cert,” Oakes said. “But you have to be pragmatic.”
Switching to Mercedes power is a bold move. For Oakes, it’s a necessary step to get Alpine closer to the front of the grid. The challenge now is making sure the gamble pays off.
Alpine isn’t just changing engines. They’re changing direction. And with Mercedes power at their disposal, the future looks brighter for a team determined to be more than just another name on the grid.
