Alpine chose style and symbolism to kick off its 2026 Formula 1 campaign, pulling the covers off the A526 and a fresh livery at 12:30 CET on Friday, January 23. This is more than a paint job. It is the start of Alpine’s new engine era, the moment the team moves from Renault power to Mercedes customer engines through at least 2030.

The reveal took place on board an MSC Cruises ship in Barcelona—a theatrical venue that matched the team’s clear goal: show fans and rivals that Alpine is resetting its story. The YouTube invite promised, “The Rise Continues,” and the setting delivered just that—big-stage energy for a new chapter.

A cruise ship launch, and a statement of intent

Alpine’s partnership with MSC Cruises gave the team a floating stage to show off the A526’s BWT pink-and-blue look, which stays true to last year’s branding but comes with sharper intent. Behind the gloss sits a major mechanical shift. Alpine ended its Renault engine program in 2024 and joined the Mercedes customer pool, replacing Aston Martin and joining McLaren and Williams as Mercedes-powered teams.

Executive technical director David Sanchez leads the design of the A526. Built to the new 2026 rules, the car is shorter and narrower, and features active aero—new movable parts that balance top speed with cornering grip. On paper, that should make the car lighter on its feet and kinder on energy usage across a race stint.

“It’s a cruise ship launch today, but will the A526 finally sail into the points every weekend?”

Why Mercedes power changes Alpine’s story

The engine switch is the headline. Flavio Briatore, who stepped in after Team Principal Oliver Oakes resigned during the 2025 campaign, did not hide his optimism. “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,” he said. He doubled down on targets and the hardware behind them: “We will have a great Mercedes engine and gearbox. I’m sure next season will be good for the team and we give our drivers the right car to compete. We are doing the best possible and my target is to be in P6 [next year].”

That is a bold goal given the 2025 backdrop. Alpine finished 10th in the Constructors’ standings with 22 points—all scored by Pierre Gasly—and trailed ninth-placed Kick Sauber by 48 points. The team put early development of the 2025 car (A525) on ice to focus on the 2026 ruleset. Pain now for gain later was the gamble. Now the A526 must turn that strategy into results.

Early miles: a wet Silverstone shakedown

Before the Barcelona reveal, the A526 turned its first laps at a wet Silverstone on Wednesday. Gasly drove, using up to 200km of filming day mileage. These controlled runs are not about lap time. They are about systems checks: cooling, hydraulics, gearbox shifts, brake feel, and the first data on how the new Mercedes unit works inside Alpine’s chassis and cooling package.

Running in the rain adds complexity but also value. If the car behaves well when grip is low and temperatures are tricky, that builds confidence before the real work of pre-season testing begins.

“If Gasly scored all 22 points last year, the car—not the drivers—has to do the heavy lifting now.”

The A526, built for 2026 Formula 1 rules

F1’s 2026 rules aim for cars that are trimmer, more efficient, and racier. Alpine’s A526 follows that path: a more compact footprint, less drag, and active aero to help both straight-line speed and cornering. The livery keeps the bold BWT pink-and-blue identity, while under the skin the team works to marry Mercedes power with its Enstone-built chassis.

David Sanchez’s task is to deliver a car that is predictable and quick across all tracks, not just a one-lap special. That is how a midfield team climbs the table: by turning eighths and ninths into fifths and sixths week after week.

People and targets: stability after a turbulent year

Alpine’s 2025 storyline was messy: an early development shift to 2026, a leadership change with Oliver Oakes stepping down, and a season where only Gasly scored. Briatore says stability has returned and the team has added key hires. The target is clear: P6 in the Constructors’ Championship. That would be a major step, but with Mercedes power and a fresh structure, Alpine believes it is realistic.

On the driving side, Gasly begins his fourth season with the team, while Franco Colapinto starts his first full campaign after 18 races in 2025. Consistency in the seats helps feedback loops. If the A526 responds to setup changes and the team executes clean weekends, points should follow.

“Nice livery. Now show us a car that can fight McLaren and Aston on Sundays.”

Next up: testing blocks and Melbourne opener

The grind begins right away. Alpine’s program is clear:

• Pre-season test 1: Barcelona, January 26–30
• Pre-season test 2: Bahrain, February 11–13
• Pre-season test 3: Bahrain, February 18–20
• Season opener: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne, March 6–8 (Practice Friday March 6, Qualifying Saturday March 7, Race Sunday March 8)

Barcelona will stress systems, correlation, and tire management. Bahrain, with two blocks, gives Alpine valuable back-to-back data on long runs and race procedures under heat and wind. By the time the cars ship to Melbourne, we will know where Alpine stands in the early pecking order.

So, what does it all mean?

Alpine has made a big bet on a new engine partner and a new rules reset. The cruise ship reveal is the show. The Mercedes unit and gearbox are the substance. Briatore’s P6 target sets a clear bar, and the first steps—Silverstone mileage, Barcelona’s test days—will tell us if the A526 is a stable, points-capable platform or still a work-in-progress.

For a team that finished P10 with only one scorer last year, the “Rise Continues” line is more than marketing. With David Sanchez’s design, a proven power unit, and Gasly–Colapinto continuity, Alpine finally has the pieces to climb. Now comes the hard part: turning a headline launch into quiet, relentless points on Sundays.