Alpine Unveils 2026 Livery in Barcelona Launch
Alpine revealed its 2026 livery on a cruise ship in Barcelona, showcasing a largely unchanged blue and pink design. The team has already completed a shakedown of the real Mercedes-powered A526 at Silverstone.
Alpine has revealed its 2026 livery in Barcelona, showcasing a largely unchanged blue and pink gloss scheme on a showcar. While the launch event took place on a cruise ship, the actual Mercedes-powered A526 has already completed a shakedown at Silverstone.
Why it matters:
This launch marks a critical reset for Alpine after a difficult 2025 season where they finished last. By shifting focus early to the 2026 regulations—switching from works Renault power to Mercedes units—the team aims to vault back up the grid rather than fighting for scraps.
The details:
- Livery Design: The 2026 car retains the blue and pink gloss aesthetic, with sidepods returning to the main blue color and the BWT logo prominently displayed in pink.
- Shakedown Success: The actual A526 completed a productive shakedown at Silverstone with Pierre Gasly. Despite wet and dark conditions, the team managed 140km of the permitted 200km.
- Packaging Differences: Early images suggest distinct packaging around the engine and sidepods compared to the factory Mercedes team, highlighting the customer team's integration work.
- Strategic Pivot: Alpine halted development on its 2025 car in January to divert resources to the new chassis and engine rules, a move technical director David Sanchez described as necessary to fix fundamental limitations.
Looking Ahead:
The first official 2026 test begins behind closed doors at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. As the Enstone team returns to Mercedes power for the first time since the Lotus era, all eyes will be on whether this early investment translates into competitive performance.