F1 News: Alpine Re-Opens Talks With Andretti Cadillac As A Potential Engine Supplier

The confirmation comes from the Alpine team boss after their pre-contract expired recently.

Alpine interim team principal Bruno Famin has confirmed that the outfit would be happy to supply power units to Andretti Cadillac if the team makes it to the Formula 1 grid. Alpine has reached out to the new entrant for further discussions. 

Currently, Andretti's F1 entry is under the scanner of Formula One Management after it was given a clean chit by the FIA to join the sport as the eleventh team, despite facing protests from several team bosses and Formula 1.

Earlier discussions took place between Alpine and Andretti regarding an engine deal. However, Alpine clarified last month that the pre-contract agreement has lapsed. By F1 regulations, if a team is left without an engine partner, the manufacturer with the fewest customer teams will be obligated to supply engines.

At present, Alpine exclusively provides engines for its factory team. However, with the introduction of new power unit regulations in 2026, Audi is set to supply its team, and Honda will make a comeback to the grid in collaboration with Aston Martin.

If accepted, Andretti is poised to enter F1 alongside General Motors and its Cadillac division. Although General Motors has already registered as a power unit supplier, its actual entry is anticipated in 2028, potentially three years after Andretti establishes its team on the F1 grid.

Andretti Press Image

Famin stated that earlier, the situation was uncertain when the FIA was yet to approve Andretti Cadillac. Now that the clouds have passed, the team has got in touch with the American outfit. He told racingnews365.com: 

“We are talking to Andretti and to General Motors.

“If they have an entry we are happy to resume the talks. For the time being it's a bit on standby but not due to us.

“It's because the time and the length of the process is much longer than expected. First on the FIA side, the FIA took much more time to answer than they said they would at the beginning.

“The ball is on the Formula 1 side. If they have an entry we are happy to discuss with somebody.

“What I said last time is that we had a pre-contract. The pre-contract has expired.

“Factually right now we don't have any commitment or any legal commitment with them, but we're happy to talk to them and to see what we can do together.

“If they have an entry, it's because they will have demonstrated that they will bring you a lot of added value to Formula 1 and that the value of the championship on all the teams will not be diluted due to that.”