Your right Jeri, the default is Alpine/Renault can be required by FIA to supply Andretti if no other supply is available to them.
Think this story is overblown, Alpine are simply stating that the pre-existing contract has expired nothing more.
For me the real story is Renault turning ratty on Andretti and possibly now re-aligning with all other 'not in our cushy backyard' teams.
This also means Andretti are free to explore other engine partners as well now, that's not flagged up in story.
So much poor reporting and assumptions that Andretti must jump more fences than necessary.
