Alpine formally started its 2026 marketing campaign with the launch of its livery.
Here is the press launch in full:
• BWT Alpine Components One Staff in the present day embarks on a brand new journey as Components One enters unknown waters in 2026 with a raft of latest technical rules.
• The workforce formally started its 2026 FIA Components One World Championship marketing campaign with a memorable season launch in collaboration with premium companion MSC Cruises in Barcelona, Spain.
• Aboard the MSC World Europa, certain throughout the Mediterranean on its newest voyage, the workforce formally introduced its 2026 colors for its challenger, the A526, a mix of conventional Alpine blue and the hanging pink synonymous with title companion BWT.
• In entrance of an intrigued viewers on board the ship’s Panorama Lounge, docked at Port de Barcelona, 2026 race drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto unveiled the brand new livery.
• Government Technical Director David Sanchez provided element into the workforce’s all hands-on deck strategy, working with Mercedes AMG Excessive Efficiency Powertrains for its all-new energy unit, whereas Flavio Briatore and Managing Director Steve Nielsen outlined the workforce’s 2026 navigation plan.
BWT Alpine Components One Staff in the present day set sail on its 2026 journey aboard the MSC World Europa for its official season launch occasion in Barcelona, Spain.
“Right now marks the start of a brand new chapter for BWT Alpine Components One Staff,” says Flavio Briatore. “It’s with nice pleasure to start our season right here in Barcelona with our companion MSC Cruises on board the MSC World Europa as we put together for what is going to undoubtedly be a novel season in Components One historical past, not least for us with the brand new technical rules, which supply a clear sheet of paper and a terrific alternative for us to be extra aggressive than earlier campaigns,” he provides.
“It has been a relentless few months on the Enstone manufacturing unit in preparation for the season, designing and creating the A526, along with Mercedes-AMG who will provide the brand new energy unit and gearbox from this season; a partnership we’re very a lot enthusiastic about.
“To be joined by so lots of our companions together with title companion BWT, our hosts MSC Cruises and premium companion Eni at this occasion, the place we unveil our livery, is simply incredible. I thank all of them, each new companions, and present ones, for his or her dedication to the workforce, particularly after our challenges on observe final yr.”
Right now’s occasion on board the MSC World Europa was really certainly one of a form. The ship departed Civitavecchia, near Rome, Italy on Monday and, like all Components One groups, was destined for Barcelona, the place the official Components One shakedown begins on Monday 26 January, the primary actual alternative for the A526 to strike into motion.
The workforce unveiled its 2026 colors and fleet of companions on board for the 2026 marketing campaign within the spectacular Panorama Lounge of the ship, a theatre framed by flooring to ceiling home windows with a novel view of the dramatic, pure backdrop. Companions, each new and present, have been joined by worldwide media, all extremely anticipating the brand new season, buoyed by a way of the unknown with a raft of modifications to each the chassis and energy unit rules.
The A526 is a totally new automobile from entrance to again, chassis to energy unit. The dimensions and weight has considerably lowered, the size by 200mm in size, the width by 100mm and the kilos shaved off by 30kg in complete.
“The final yr has been really extraordinary in Components One phrases,” says Government Technical Director David Sanchez. “With such massive modifications within the rules, this mission has been a really attention-grabbing problem and one we’ve got actually given our all in direction of.
“Finally, the automobile is shorter and narrower than current years with some aerodynamic freedom to discover. We have now the return of lively aero the place we’ve got the flexibility to have movable entrance and rear wings, one thing the overwhelming majority of the drivers on the grid won’t have skilled earlier than. The discount in downforce and drag is predicted to carry higher racing, which I’m positive all followers can be intrigued to observe.
“Then, after all, we’ve got extra electrical energy within the energy items since we’ve got partnered with Mercedes-AMG for 2026. It has been incredible to work intently with our new colleagues from Brixworth in current months and weeks, as all of us work collectively to grasp how finest to maximise the package deal.
“Along with the ability unit problem and the brand new 100% sustainable fuels, we may even have some new terminology for us to get used to with overtake mode, enhance mode and recharge all set to enter our vocabulary this yr.
“All of us at Enstone sit up for getting began in Barcelona subsequent week the place we’ve got a lot to be taught and perceive on the A526,” concludes David.
Pierre Gasly enters his tenth season in Components One and his fourth with Alpine. The Frenchman scored 100% of the workforce’s factors in 2025, reached Q3 ten occasions within the yr, and goes into this season with an enormous sense of optimism.
“That is the primary time in my profession the place your complete automobile has had such vital modifications,” says Pierre.
“In fact, everybody heads into this unknown territory, however, as a driver, I discover that so thrilling. This has been a protracted highway for the workforce to achieve this level. We have now been working laborious on the simulator over the previous yr in preparation for these new rules and I do know everybody at Enstone has labored extraordinarily laborious to develop the absolute best package deal.
“What we see within the first few weeks of the yr, starting with the shakedown subsequent week, can be attention-grabbing however this isn’t the ultimate product as we are going to proceed to be taught and develop your complete package deal every time we’re on observe.
“I’m not setting myself any expectations. It will likely be a case of working actually laborious with the workforce to grasp areas to enhance and we are going to take it day-to-day and simply attempt to be as aggressive as we will all year long. In fact, I’m excited and optimistic, however very a lot lifelike in my ambitions. Proper now, my feeling is of immense delight that the workforce has reached all its milestones in getting ready the A526.”
For Franco Colapinto, he too embarks on 2026 with positivity as he prepares for his first full-time marketing campaign in Components One, persevering with to develop and develop as a driver on the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Firstly, I’m so excited,” provides Franco.
“For the primary time in my profession, I’ve had a correct low season in preparation for a full-time yr proper from testing and the primary race. For me, that is actually necessary as I really feel an actual a part of the mission and it means I can actually work laborious with everybody on the workforce from the start.
“We have now had likelihood to see the automobile and put together on the simulator. In fact, it is vitally totally different to something I’ve skilled to date and I feel that’s the identical for many drivers on the grid. There are new tips and new challenges to be taught to extract probably the most from the package deal and I see that as a very superb problem.
“I do know everybody on the workforce is extraordinarily motivated to have season. I’ll simply attempt to be taught as a lot as potential within the early races, maintain constructing, continue to grow and hopefully that can imply we will be aggressive as a workforce.”
Paul Aron joins Pierre and Franco to finish the driving force line-up, starting his second season as Reserve Driver.
“I’m tremendous excited to be a part of this new period of Components One and I’m trying ahead to studying as a lot as potential,” the Estonian says.
“As Reserve Driver it is going to be necessary to be taught the brand new methods rapidly and spend a whole lot of time within the simulator to assist the workforce develop rapidly. I’m excited by that chance and I can’t look ahead to the season to start.”
Recent from testing the A525 for the primary time in Abu Dhabi in December, Kush Maini will proceed to separate duties as an Alpine Academy driver, racing full-time in FIA Components 2, alongside a Reserve Driver function throughout the workforce’s pool of driving expertise.
After a profitable shakedown in Silverstone earlier within the week, the primary alternative to run the brand new methods and validate the brand new automobile, the workforce transferred straight to Barcelona prepared to start the official Components One shakedown on Monday earlier than it heads to Bahrain for 2 three-day classes in February. After that it is going to be all eyes on Melbourne, Australia, for the extremely anticipated season opener Down Underneath on March 8.
“It’s fairly uncommon to see such modifications in our sport and ones which have the potential to shake up the aggressive order,” concludes Flavio. “We’re taking it step-by-step. We have no idea the place we are going to rank at race one not to mention the ultimate race.
“Improvement can be essential and studying and understanding how finest to maximise the package deal at every circuit will make a giant distinction to our success. We all know it is a lengthy journey and one we sit up for taking up.
“Pierre and Franco have an actual starvation of their eyes. Final yr was not simple for anybody, not least for them, and it’s our responsibility to supply them the automobile which is able to enable them to showcase their expertise in probably the most aggressive positions.”
