Alpine has officially revealed its new Formula 1 car for the 2026 season, marking the start of a fresh chapter for the team. The French-based squad showed off the A526 at a special launch event in Barcelona on 23 January, where fans saw the new livery and got an early look at the car ahead of pre-season testing.

The design carries on Alpine’s well-known blue and pink colour scheme, linked to long-time sponsor BWT, and while it doesn’t look dramatically different from last year’s version, it has been updated to match the new technical rules that are coming in for 2026.

This year is especially significant for Alpine because the team has switched to using Mercedes engines and gearboxes. After many years of building its own Renault power units, Alpine will now become a customer of Mercedes, a deal that is set to run at least until 2030. This change should help the team compete more strongly under the new power unit rules.

Before the official unveiling, Alpine had already taken the A526 out for a first shakedown at Silverstone with Pierre Gasly behind the wheel. It was the first time the car ran on track with its new Mercedes-powered configuration, and it gave the team useful early data ahead of full pre-season tests.

The drivers for 2026 will be Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto. Gasly brings experience and stability, having driven for Alpine in recent seasons, and he has expressed his hope that the new car will be more competitive. Colapinto, a young Argentine racer, will be racing a full season in Formula 1 as a key part of the team’s future.

Alpine endured a very tough 2025 season and finished at the bottom of the constructors’ championship, a position well below the team’s usual performance. Part of the reason for that was the decision to stop developing the 2025 car early so all effort could go into preparing for 2026’s new rules.

The 2026 regulations bring big changes to how Formula 1 cars are built and powered, including new chassis and energy systems aimed at making racing closer and more exciting. Alpine’s team at Enstone has worked hard to interpret these rules and build a car that can fight closer to the midfield.

With the A526 now revealed and first miles under its belt, Alpine will focus on the upcoming pre-season testing in Barcelona from 26–30 January, where the team will try to learn as much as possible before the new season begins.

Fans and experts will be watching closely to see if Alpine can take a step forward and fight for stronger results after a difficult year, and whether the new engine partnership and updated car can deliver better performance on the track.