Tijdens het evenement onthulde het team de 2026-kleuren en presenteerde het de volledige groep partners voor het nieuwe seizoen. De onthulling vond plaats in de Panorama Lounge van het schip: een indrukwekkende ruimte met kamerhoge ramen en uitzicht op het natuurlijke decor van de havenstad. Zowel bestaande als nieuwe partners waren aanwezig, evenals internationale media, allen met hoge verwachtingen voor het nieuwe seizoen. Die verwachting wordt gevoed door de grote mate van onzekerheid die gepaard gaat met de uitgebreide veranderingen aan zowel het chassisreglement als de regels rond de krachtbron.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for BWT Alpine Formula One Team,” zegt Flavio Briatore.

“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 Formula One 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,” he adds.

“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.”

Het project

De A526 is van voor tot achter een volledig nieuwe auto – van chassis tot krachtbron. Zowel in formaat als gewicht zijn ingrijpende veranderingen doorgevoerd. De lengte is met 200 mm verkort, de breedte met 100 mm en het totaalgewicht is met 30 kg teruggebracht.

“The last year has been truly extraordinary in Formula One terms,” zegt Executive Technical Director David Sanchez. “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 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,” concludes David.

Alles om voor te strijden

Pierre Gasly begint aan zijn tiende seizoen in de Formule 1 en zijn vierde jaar bij Alpine. De Fransman was in 2025 goed voor 100% van de punten van het team, bereikte tien keer Q3 en gaat vol optimisme het nieuwe seizoen in.

“This is the first time in my career where the entire car has had such significant changes,” zegt Pierre.

“Of course, everyone heads into this unknown territory, but, as a driver, I find that so exciting. This has been a long road for the team to reach this point. We have been working hard on the simulator over the past year in preparation for these new regulations and I know everyone at Enstone has worked extremely hard to develop the best possible package.”

“What we see in the first few weeks of the year, beginning with the shakedown next week, will be interesting but this is not the final product as we will continue to learn and develop the entire package each time we’re on track.”

“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.”

Ook Franco Colapinto begint vol vertrouwen aan 2026. Hij maakt zich op voor zijn eerste volledige seizoen in de Formule 1 en zet zijn ontwikkeling als coureur voort op het hoogste niveau van de autosport.

“Firstly, I am so excited,” voegt Franco toe.

“For the first time in my career, I have had a proper off-season in preparation for a full-time year right from testing and the first race. For me, this is really important as I feel a real part of the project and it means I can really work hard with everyone at the team from the beginning.”

“We have had a good chance to see the car and prepare on the simulator. Of course, it is very different to anything I have experienced so far and I think that is the same for most drivers on the grid. There are new tricks and new challenges to learn to extract the most from the package and I see that as a truly amazing challenge.”

“I know everyone at the team is extremely motivated to have a good season. I will just try to learn as much as possible in the early races, keep building, keep growing and hopefully that will mean we can be competitive as a team.”

Paul Aron voegt zich bij Pierre en Franco en maakt daarmee de line-up voor 2026 compleet. Hij begint aan zijn tweede seizoen als reserverijder.

“I am super excited to be part of this new era of Formula One and I am looking forward to learning as much as possible,” zegt de Est.

“As Reserve Driver it will be important to learn the new systems quickly and spend a lot of time in the simulator to help the team develop quickly. I am excited by that opportunity and I cannot wait for the season to begin.”

Na zijn eerste test in de A525 in december in Abu Dhabi zet Kush Maini zijn ontwikkeling voort binnen het Alpine Academy-programma. In 2026 combineert hij een volledig seizoen in de FIA Formula 2 met een rol als Reserve Driver binnen de talentenpool van het team.

Stap voor stap

Na een succesvolle shakedown eerder deze week in Silverstone – de eerste gelegenheid om de nieuwe systemen te laten draaien en de auto te valideren – is het team direct doorgereisd naar Barcelona. Daar begint maandag de officiële Formule 1-shakedown. Vervolgens reist het team door naar Bahrein voor twee testperiodes van drie dagen in februari. Daarna verschuift alle aandacht naar Melbourne, Australië, waar op 8 maart de langverwachte seizoensopener plaatsvindt.

“It is quite rare to see such changes in our sport and ones which have the potential to shake up the competitive order,” sluit Flavio af. “We are taking it step by step. We do not know where we will rank at race one let alone the final race.

“Development will be crucial and learning and understanding how best to maximise the package at each circuit will make a big difference to our success. We know this is a long journey and one we look forward to taking on.

“Pierre and Franco have a real hunger in their eyes. Last year was not easy for anyone, not least for them, and it is our duty to provide them the car which will allow them to showcase their talent in the most competitive positions.”