Long serving Renault F1 power unit chief leaves by 'mutual agreement'

Long time Renault F1 employee Remi Taffin, who was head of the French manufacturer's Formula 1 power unit division, has left the company after more than 20 years.

Taffin, who began working for Renault in 1999, had a range of roles in Grand Prix racing, notably as race engineer for Jenson Button, before fulfilling the same job for Fernando Alonso when the Spaniard won his two world championship titles in 2005 and 2006 with the French team.

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In 2009 Taffin became manager of the team's track activities, before a 2011 switch to a role looking after Renault's engine customers, including Red Bull during their title-winning success with the V8 power unit.

When Renault returned to F1 as a full constructor in 2016, Taffin stepped up to become the Engine Technical Director, leading power unit development at the Viry-Chatillon HQ for the team that was rebranded as Alpine for this year, though the engine is still badged as a Renault.

But this week an Alpine spokesperson confirmed to Formula1.com that Taffin had left in July by "mutual agreement".

F1.com understands there are currently no plans to directly replace Taffin, with his responsibilities set to be assumed by existing staff members.

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It is another high profile change for the outfit after former Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul left over the winter, with Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, Racing Director Davide Brivio and Executive Director Marcin Budkowski now running the team.

Alpine currently sit fifth in the constructors' standings after Esteban Ocon took victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix – his first win, and the first since the team's rebrand as Alpine.