Alpine begins “new chapter” with 2026 F1 livery reveal
Alpine F1 executive advisor Flavio Briatore called the team’s 2026 livery reveal the “beginning of a new chapter” as it aims to turn around its fortunes following a disappointing 2025 season.
The Chipping Norton-based team finished 2025 at the bottom of the constructors’ standings with just 22 points, with Briatore hoping that the new technical regulations “offer a clean sheet of paper” and a great opportunity to be “more competitive than previous campaigns”.
The launch event took place on board the MSC World Europa cruise ship docked at the Port de Barcelona. Pierre Gasly and Franco Colopinto were in attendance and continue as Alpine’s driver lineup in the new era of F1. The team’s A526 car sports a colour scheme that combines traditional Alpine blue and pink, the signature colour of title sponsor BWT.
“Overtake mode, boost mode and recharge all set to enter our vocabulary”
It was also revealed by Executive Technical Director David Sanchez that Alpine would be working with Mercedes, whose AMG High Performance Powertrains division is set to provide the team’s new power unit for 2026. After a successful shakedown at Silverstone this week, Alpine will continue to put its new challenger through its paces in Barcelona next week.
Sanchez spoke at the unveiling event, saying: “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 maximise the package.
“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.”
“I am not setting myself any expectations”
Pierre Gasly, who scored all of Alpine’s 22 points in 2025, spoke with optimism ahead of his tenth season in Formula 1:
“I am not setting myself any expectations. It will be a case of working really hard with the team to understand areas to improve and we will take it day by day and just try to be as competitive as we can throughout the year. Of course, I am excited and optimistic, but very much realistic in my ambitions. Right now, my feeling is of immense pride that the team has reached all its milestones in preparing the A526.”
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Alpine Formula One Team