14 January 2026GP BlogPress releaseRace report
Alpine's Barcelona Arrival Is Test Prep, Not a Shakedown
Fans saw Alpine trucks at Circuit de Catalunya and assumed a secret shakedown. The team is actually setting up its garage for a pre‑season test and a Jan 23 car reveal, so on‑track action is weeks away.
Alpine trucks rolled onto the Circuit de Catalunya this week, prompting a wave of excitement online that the team was about to run a private shakedown. The reality is more mundane: the French squad is simply preparing its base for the first official pre‑season test and a January 23 car launch at the same venue.
Why it matters:
- Alpine’s 2025 collapse makes a strong 2026 start crucial for a comeback.
- The Mercedes‑powered car raises hopes for performance gains, and early test data will shape the season‑opening package.
The details:
- Alpine arrived in Barcelona early to set up its garage and hospitality area after the winter break.
- The first official F1 test at the Circuit de Catalunya is scheduled for mid‑January, a week and a half from now.
- Drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto will run the car in the test, with a possible on‑track debut that same weekend.
- The car’s public reveal is set for Jan 23 in Barcelona, showcasing the Mercedes‑powered chassis.
What's next:
- The team will complete garage fit‑out by the end of the week and begin shakedown runs during the official test.
- Test data will guide upgrades ahead of the Bahrain season‑opening.
- If the Mercedes power unit delivers, Alpine hopes to move up from the back of the grid and fight for points.