Alpine have begun a pivotal new chapter by unveiling their 2026 Formula 1 car, the A526, at a launch event held on a cruise ship in Barcelona, with executive advisor Flavio Briatore insisting the team expect to be competitive this season.
The Enstone-based squad are aiming to rebound strongly after finishing bottom of last year’s Constructors’ Championship, as they embark on their first campaign powered by Mercedes engines. The A526 was revealed on Friday as Alpine formally turns the page on a difficult 2025 and looks to capitalise on Formula 1’s all-new technical regulations for 2026.
The former world championship-winning team, which is majority-owned by Renault, endured a bruising campaign last year, scoring just 22 points and finishing 10th in the standings. However, the struggles were not entirely unexpected internally, having made a strategic call early in the year to divert resources away from short-term results and towards the 2026 reset.
That long-term approach was underlined by the major decision taken in September 2024 to abandon Alpine’s own Renault power unit project for 2026 onwards, instead opting to become a Mercedes customer. Mercedes are widely regarded within the paddock as having developed the strongest engine under the new rules, and Alpine effectively replace Aston Martin – now partnered with Honda – alongside McLaren and Williams in Mercedes’ customer line-up.
Speaking as the team revealed the A526’s livery in Barcelona, Briatore struck a confident note about Alpine’s prospects.
“We believe we are competitive. We have been working very well. Our technical people have done a super job. Alpine is really coming back with performance this year.”
Alpine will also be hoping their early emphasis on chassis development pays dividends as the new season approaches. Pre-season running gets under way at the behind-closed-doors Barcelona shakedown from Monday, where teams will begin to gather their first meaningful data under the 2026 regulations.
The A526 has already completed its first on-track outing, with Alpine conducting an initial shakedown at a rain-soaked Silverstone earlier this week. While mileage was limited by conditions, the run marked the debut of Alpine’s first Mercedes-powered Formula 1 car.
Briatore: “No excuses” for Alpine drivers
On the driver front, Alpine head into 2026 with continuity, retaining Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto as their race pairing.
Gasly enters his fourth season with the team after carrying Alpine almost single-handedly in 2025, scoring all 22 of their points through a series of standout performances in an uncompetitive car.
The Frenchman said he is optimistic that the groundwork laid over the winter will translate into improved results.
“I’m really excited for this coming season. It’s a big opportunity for us team and for us as drivers,” Gasly said. “The team have done a fantastic job over the winter preparing us as best we could.
“We had a very successful shakedown, which is a great start, and I’m looking forward to the coming weeks.”
Alongside him, Alpine have chosen to continue with Colapinto after the Argentine completed the final 18 race weekends of last season, stepping in for Jack Doohan. Although he failed to score a point, Colapinto’s progress over the second half of the year saw him edge closer to Gasly’s pace and ultimately convinced the team to retain him for 2026.
Briatore, however, made clear that expectations are rising and that patience will be limited.
“I expect the best,” Briatore said. “This year is not (the time for) excuses any more. We have a brand new car. We have the same drivers.
“He (Franco) has done a very good winter and I hope he has much better results and is ready to compete with Pierre. We need two drivers competing.”
With a new power unit, a fresh technical rulebook and a renewed sense of purpose, Alpine believe the A526 can mark the start of their climb back up the grid as Formula 1 enters a new era in 2026.
Testing and season opener confirmed
With the introduction of all-new regulations, Formula 1 has scheduled three pre-season tests ahead of the opening race.
The first will take place behind closed doors in Barcelona from January 26-30. Two further tests will follow in Bahrain on February 11-13 and February 18-20.
After testing concludes, teams will have two weeks to finalise preparations for the championship’s opening round.
The 2026 Formula 1 season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8. Practice sessions start on Friday, 6 March, qualifying follows on Saturday, 7 March, and the first race of the new era takes place on Sunday, 8 March.
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