Alpine reveals 2026 F1 car on a ship in Barcelona

Alpine has launched its 2026 car – the A526 – on an MSC Cruises ship in Barcelona ahead of Monday’s pre-season shakedown.

The A526 is the first Mercedes-powered car to come out of Enstone, after Renault closed its own power unit project last year. Alpine carried out a filming day at Silverstone on Wednesday to give the car its first run, the culmination of what executive technical director Davide Sanchez said has been a massive undertaking to prepare for the new rules this year.

“The last year has been truly extraordinary in Formula 1 terms,” Sanchez said. “With such big changes in the regulations, this project has been a very interesting challenge and one we have really given our all towards.

“Ultimately, the car is shorter and narrower than recent years, with some aerodynamic freedom to explore. We have the return of active aero where we have the ability to have movable front and rear wings, something the vast majority of the drivers on the grid will not have experienced before. The reduction in downforce and drag is expected to bring better racing, which I am sure all fans will be intrigued to watch.

“Then, of course, we have more electric power in the power units since we have partnered with Mercedes-AMG for 2026. It has been fantastic to work closely with our new colleagues from Brixworth in recent months and weeks as we all work together to understand how best to maximize the package.

Alpine F1 Team

“In addition to the power unit challenge and the new 100% sustainable fuels, we will also have some new terminology for us to get used to with overtake mode, boost mode and recharge all set to enter our vocabulary this year. All of us at Enstone look forward to getting started in Barcelona next week where we have much to learn and understand on the A526.”

Alpine executive advisor Flavio Briatore says the team is full of anticipation as it kicks off its collaboration with Mercedes, unveiling a blue and pink livery as an evolution of previous designs.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team,” Briatore said. “It is with great pleasure to begin our season here in Barcelona with our partner MSC Cruises on board the MSC World Europa as we prepare for what will undoubtedly be a unique season in F1 history, not least for us with the new technical regulations, which offer a clean sheet of paper and a great opportunity for us to be more competitive than previous campaigns. 

“It has been a relentless few months at the Enstone factory in preparation for the season, designing and creating the A526, together with Mercedes-AMG who will supply the new power unit and gearbox from this season; a partnership we are very much excited about.

“To be joined by so many of our partners including title partner BWT, our hosts MSC Cruises and premium partner Eni at this event, where we unveil our livery, is just fantastic. I thank them all, both new partners, and existing ones, for their commitment to the team, especially after our challenges on track last year.”