BWT Alpine Formula One Team sets sail for a historic season marked by new regulations in 2026

BWT Alpine Formula One Team set its sights on the 2026 season at the heart of the MSC World Europa during its official launch in Barcelona (Spain).

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

“It is with immense pleasure that we launch our campaign in Barcelona, ​​with our partner MSC Cruises, aboard the MSC World Europa. We are preparing for what will undoubtedly be a unique season in the history of Formula 1. This will be especially true for our team, as the new regulations offer a clean slate and a fantastic opportunity to be more competitive than in recent years.”

“The last few months have been particularly intense at the Enstone factory preparing for the season, designing and developing the A526 in collaboration with Mercedes-AMG, which is supplying the new powertrain and gearbox from this year onwards. We are truly excited about this partnership.”

“It’s simply fantastic to be surrounded by so many partners, including our Title Partner BWT, our hosts MSC Cruises and our Premium Partner Eni, to unveil our livery. I thank them all, both long-standing and new partners, for their commitment to the team, especially after our challenges on the track last year.”

All Aboard!

The event held aboard the MSC World Europa was truly unique. On Monday, the ship departed Civitavecchia, near Rome, Italy, and, like all the teams, set sail for Barcelona, ​​where the official Formula 1 shakedown will begin this Monday, January 26. This will be the first real opportunity to see the A526 in action.

The team unveiled its colors and all its partners for the season in the impressive Panorama Lounge, a theatrical space with floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of a magnificent natural landscape. Partners, both long-standing and new, gathered there with international media to launch this campaign, which faces a significant degree of uncertainty due to the new regulations for chassis and powertrains.

The project

The A526 is a completely new single-seater, from front to rear, including the chassis and power unit. Its dimensions and weight have been significantly reduced: 200 mm shorter, 100 mm narrower, and a total weight reduction of 30 kg.

“The past year in Formula 1 has been absolutely exceptional,” explains David Sanchez, Executive Technical Director. “With this regulatory revolution, this project represented an exciting challenge, to which we have fully dedicated ourselves.”

“The car is shorter and narrower than those of recent years, with greater aerodynamic freedom. We have active aerodynamics again, which allows us to have movable wings at the front and rear, a new feature for the vast majority of current drivers. The reduction in downforce and drag should make the races even more competitive, which is sure to captivate the fans.”

“We also have more electric power in the powertrains with our partnership with Mercedes-AMG for 2026. It has been fantastic working closely with our new colleagues in Brixworth over the past few months and weeks to understand together how best to optimize everything.”

“In addition to the challenge posed by the powertrain and 100% sustainable fuels, we will have to familiarize ourselves with new terminology since overtaking, boost, and recharging modes will all be part of our vocabulary starting this year.”

“The entire Enstone team is looking forward to being in Barcelona next week, where we will have a lot to learn and understand about the A526.”

Everything is still to play for

Pierre Gasly begins his tenth season in Formula 1, his fourth with Alpine. The Frenchman scored 100% of the team’s points in 2025, reached Q3 ten times, and approaches this new campaign with optimism.

“This is the first time in my career that the entire car has undergone such profound changes,” says Pierre.

“Of course, everyone is in uncharted territory, but I find it extremely stimulating as a driver. For the team, it’s been a long road to get here. We worked extensively in the simulator last year to prepare for these new regulations, and I know the entire Enstone team has put in considerable effort to develop the best possible package.”

“What we see from the shakedown next week will be interesting, but these won’t be the final cars. We’ll continue to learn and develop the package every time we take to the track.”

“I’m not setting any specific goals. We’ll have to work tirelessly with the team to identify areas for improvement. We’ll move forward day by day, trying to be as competitive as possible throughout the year. I’m obviously enthusiastic and optimistic, but also realistic about my ambitions. Today, I feel immense pride above all in seeing the team reach all its milestones in the preparation of the A526.”

Franco Colapinto is also approaching 2026 with positivity and is preparing to continue his progression to the top of motorsport by competing in his first full season in Formula 1.

“Above all, I am extremely enthusiastic,” adds Franco.

“For the first time in my career, I was able to benefit from a real off-season to best prepare myself for a full season, right from the first tests and the first race. This is very important to me, because I feel really involved in the project and it allows me to work hard from the outset with the whole team.”

“We had the opportunity to discover the car and prepare in the simulator. Of course, it’s very different from anything I’ve experienced before, and I think that’s the case for most of the drivers on the grid. There are new subtleties to master and new challenges to overcome to extract the maximum from the package, and I find that exciting.”

“I know the whole team is extremely motivated to have a good season. I’m going to try to learn as much as possible during the first few races and continue to improve. I hope that this will allow us to be competitive as a team.”

Paul Aron completes the lineup alongside Pierre and Franco for his second season as a reserve driver.

“I am delighted to be part of this new era of Formula 1 and I can’t wait to learn as much as possible,” said the Estonian.

“In my role as reserve driver, it will be crucial to quickly learn the new systems and spend a lot of time in the simulator to help the team progress rapidly. It’s an exciting opportunity and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

With his first official tests with the A525 last December in Abu Dhabi, Kush Maini will still be a member of the Alpine Academy, competing in the FIA ​​Formula 2 Championship and a reserve driver within the team’s talent pool.

Step by step

Earlier this week, the team completed a shakedown test, allowing them to verify the new systems for the first time and validate the new car at Silverstone. The team then traveled directly to Barcelona for the official Formula 1 shakedown starting on Monday, before heading to Bahrain for two three-day test sessions in February. All eyes will then turn to the start of this highly anticipated season on March 8 in Melbourne, Australia.

“It’s quite rare to see changes of this magnitude, capable of disrupting the hierarchy of our sport,” concluded Flavio Briatore. “We’re taking it step by step. We don’t know where we’ll stand in the first race, let alone the last.”

“Development will be crucial, and the ability to understand and learn how to best utilize the package on each circuit will make all the difference. We know it’s a long road, but we’re eager to get there.”

“Pierre and Franco’s thirst for success is palpable. Last year wasn’t easy for anyone, least of all for them, and it’s our duty to provide them with the car that will allow them to fully express their talent at the front.”