Belgian powertrain specialist Dumarey Group has reached an agreement with Renault Group to acquire Alpine Racing SAS, the company that operates the historic Viry-Châtillon engine facility in France. The proposed takeover could secure the future of the site and its workforce as Alpine prepares to conclude its factory FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) programme at the end of 2026.
The agreement, which the companies announced on 22 October 2026, marks another significant development in Renault’s motorsport restructuring. Following Alpine’s decision to abandon its Formula 1 engine programme and switch to Mercedes power units, the Viry-Châtillon facility now faces a new chapter under potential Belgian ownership.
However, questions remain over how the acquisition might affect ongoing efforts to keep Alpine’s A424 Hypercars competing in the WEC beyond the manufacturer’s planned withdrawal.
Dumarey outlines plans for Viry-Châtillon acquisition
Under the proposed agreement, Dumarey Group will acquire Alpine Racing SAS alongside the physical and intellectual assets necessary to continue operating the Viry-Châtillon facility. The transaction also provides for the transfer of the company’s entire workforce to the new owner.
Renault Group and Dumarey intend to preserve the site’s engineering capabilities while developing new opportunities within the motorsport industry. Furthermore, the Belgian company aims to expand its existing powertrain operations by incorporating the expertise that Renault accumulated through decades of Formula 1 competition.
Dumarey chairman and founder Guido Dumarey welcomed the agreement and outlined his ambitions for the historic French operation.
“The Viry-Chatillon site has built a strong reputation for advanced engineering and innovation.
“We see considerable potential in combining its highly skilled teams and technical capabilities with Dumarey’s entrepreneurial culture and diversified industrial footprint.
“Our ambition is to preserve and further develop this exceptional engineering expertise while creating new opportunities for growth.”
The proposed acquisition forms part of Dumarey’s wider strategy to strengthen its presence in high-performance engineering and motorsport. The company already specialises in engines, energy storage systems and advanced powertrain technologies for the automotive industry.
Consequently, acquiring Viry-Châtillon would allow Dumarey to combine its existing industrial operations with a workforce that has considerable experience developing racing power units.
Renault’s Formula 1 engine legacy enters a new chapter
The Viry-Châtillon facility has played a central role in Renault’s Formula 1 operations for more than four decades. Throughout that period, its engineers contributed to the manufacturer’s development of competitive racing engines, hybrid systems and advanced propulsion technologies.
However, Renault’s decision to discontinue its factory Formula 1 engine programme fundamentally changed the site’s future.
In September 2024, the French manufacturer confirmed that it would end its internal F1 power unit development programme after the 2025 season. Subsequently, Alpine finalised an agreement with Mercedes-Benz to receive power units and gearboxes from the beginning of the 2026 championship.
The decision marked a significant departure from Renault’s long-standing position as an engine manufacturer in Formula 1. It also raised concerns about the future of the engineers and technical personnel at Viry-Châtillon.
With Dumarey now preparing to take control of Alpine Racing SAS, the facility could continue contributing to motorsport through a different business structure.
Importantly, the proposed transaction concerns the Viry-Châtillon operation rather than Alpine’s Formula 1 team at Enstone. The two operations function as separate legal entities, meaning the agreement does not involve the sale of Alpine’s F1 team.
Alpine’s WEC withdrawal raises questions over A424 future
The acquisition also comes at a crucial moment for Alpine’s endurance racing activities. Viry-Châtillon has contributed to the powertrain programme behind the Alpine A424 Hypercar, which the Signatech-operated Alpine Endurance Team has competed with in the FIA WEC since 2024.
Earlier this year, Alpine confirmed its decision to withdraw from the WEC at the conclusion of the 2026 season. The manufacturer chose to prioritise its Formula 1 activities while reassessing its broader automotive and motorsport commitments.
Nevertheless, discussions have continued over whether another organisation could operate the existing A424 machinery beyond Alpine’s factory departure.
The possibility of a customer racing programme has emerged as one potential solution. Previously, Alpine explored alternative arrangements for the A424, including partnerships with external organisations interested in continuing the Hypercar project.
Reports also suggested that prospective buyers of the Signatech-run operation could acquire the Viry-Châtillon facility as part of a wider agreement.
However, Renault and Dumarey have not clarified whether their proposed transaction will influence those discussions. Equally, neither company has confirmed any direct involvement in a future A424 racing programme.
As a result, the potential continuation of the A424 in the WEC remains uncertain despite the agreement to preserve Viry-Châtillon’s engineering operations.
Dumarey aims to preserve Alpine’s engineering expertise
Although Dumarey has not identified the specific racing championships it intends to enter or support through Viry-Châtillon, the company has outlined its interest in expanding its motorsport activities.
In particular, the Belgian specialist wants to use the facility’s extensive Formula 1 engine knowledge to provide technical support to racing teams in the future.
The site also offers expertise beyond traditional combustion engines, including electrification, advanced simulation, software development and powertrain testing.
For Dumarey, these capabilities could support its wider engineering ambitions across the automotive, aerospace and industrial sectors.
Meanwhile, Alpine Tech vice-president Axel Plasse welcomed the proposed agreement, highlighting the opportunities it could create for the site’s employees and technical operations.
“This transaction represents a strong and coherent opportunity to secure and further develop the expertise of the Viry-Chatillon site.
“It opens up new prospects for employees and for the engineering business. This development is a recognition of the site’s longstanding motorsport expertise, particularly in Formula 1.”
The agreement therefore offers a potential route towards preserving the facility’s technical heritage while allowing Dumarey to establish a stronger presence in competitive motorsport.
Acquisition awaits final approval as Alpine’s future takes shape
Despite the agreement between Renault Group and Dumarey, the companies must complete several procedural steps before finalising the takeover.
Renault presented the proposal to Alpine Racing SAS employee representatives during an extraordinary Works Council meeting on 22 October 2026. The companies have since launched the legally required consultation process and must also secure the relevant regulatory approvals.
Once both parties complete these procedures, Dumarey intends to assume ownership and management of Alpine Racing SAS, bringing the Viry-Châtillon operation under its corporate identity.
The agreement provides a possible long-term future for one of Renault’s most recognisable motorsport engineering facilities. However, Dumarey must still determine how it will integrate the operation into its expanding business and which motorsport projects it will pursue.
Meanwhile, Alpine’s planned WEC departure leaves the future of the A424 programme unresolved. Whether the proposed acquisition creates opportunities for the Hypercar to continue racing remains an important question as the 2026 season approaches its conclusion.
