Alpine unveils 2026 livery ahead of crucial F1 season

Alpine has lifted the curtain on the livery for its 2026 Formula 1 contender, the A526, ahead of a season that promises a dramatic new chapter for the Enstone-based team.

The reveal took place in an unconventional setting – the MSC World Europa docked in Barcelona –celebrating the squad’s growing partnership with commercial sponsor MSC Cruises.

The new design maintains the striking blue that has become synonymous with Alpine, paired once again with the pink accents of title sponsor BWT.

While visually familiar, the car itself will represent a strategic pivot for the team as they chase competitive gains under F1’s sweeping technical regulations for 2026.

Betting on a New Technical Era

Alpine is entering the season with fresh ambitions, having refocused its development efforts entirely on the A526 after ending substantial work on last year’s car by May 2025.

That decision contributed to a disappointing 10th-place finish in the constructors’ championship, leaving lead driver Pierre Gasly eager for a more competitive package. Gasly will be joined once again by Argentine rookie Franco Colapinto, who will embark on his first full season in Formula 1.

“The last year has been truly extraordinary in Formula One terms,” said Alpine executive technical director David Sanchez, offering insight into the car’s development.

“With such big changes in the regulations, this project has been a very interesting challenge and one we have really given our all towards.

“Ultimately, the car is shorter and narrower than recent years with some aerodynamic freedom to explore. We have the return of active aero where we have the ability to have movable front and rear wings, something the vast majority of the drivers on the grid will not have experienced before.

“The reduction in downforce and drag is expected to bring better racing, which I am sure all fans will be intrigued to watch.

“Then, of course, we have more electric power in the power units since we have partnered with Mercedes-AMG for 2026. It has been fantastic to work closely with our new colleagues from Brixworth in recent months and weeks, as we all work together to understand how best to maximise the package.

• Read also: Alpine to give Colapinto ‘all the support he needs’ to deliver in F1

“In addition to the power unit challenge and the new 100% sustainable fuels, we will also have some new terminology for us to get used to with overtake mode, boost mode and recharge all set to enter our vocabulary this year.

“All of us at Enstone look forward to getting started in Barcelona next week where we have much to learn and understand on the A526.”

Ready for Barcelona

Though Alpine’s 2026 the car wasn’t on display at the launch, it has already been shaken down at Silverstone, giving the team an initial glimpse of how the A526 behaves on track.

All eyes will now turn to the opening pre-season test in Barcelona from 26–30 January, where Alpine will put its ambitious technical package to the first real trial.

With a fresh driver pairing, a new technical partnership with Mercedes-AMG, and a livery that balances heritage with flair, Alpine is signaling its intent to compete for far more than a midfield presence this year.

The A526 may look familiar at first glance – but as the regulations promise, the racing it produces could be anything but.

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