Alpine reveal the A526, their Mercedes-powered 2026 Formula 1 car on a cruise ship

The A526 which was given a shakedown at Silverstone before its official unveiling will be driver by Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.

The event which was held aboard the MSC World Europa was attended by Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore, Managing Director Steve Nielson, Executive Technical Director David Sanchez in addition to the drivers.

Speaking at the event, Briatore said: "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for BWT Alpine Formula One Team.

"It is with great pleasure to begin our season here in Barcelona with our partner MSC Cruises on board the MSC World Europa as we prepare for what will undoubtedly be a unique season in Formula One history, not least for us with the new technical regulations, which offer a clean sheet of paper and a great opportunity for us to be more competitive than previous campaigns.

"It has been a relentless few months at the Enstone factory in preparation for the season, designing and creating the A526, together with Mercedes-AMG who will supply the new power unit and gearbox from this season; a partnership we are very much excited about.

"To be joined by so many of our partners including title partner BWT, our hosts MSC Cruises and premium partner Eni at this event, where we unveil our livery, is just fantastic.

"I thank them all, both new partners, and existing ones, for their commitment to the team, especially after our challenges on track last year.

"It is quite rare to see such changes in our sport and ones which have the potential to shake up the competitive order," the Italian added. "We are taking it step by step. We do not know where we will rank at race one let alone the final race.

"Development will be crucial and learning and understanding how best to maximise the package at each circuit will make a big difference to our success. We know this is a long journey and one we look forward to taking on.

"Pierre and Franco have a real hunger in their eyes. Last year was not easy for anyone, not least for them, and it is our duty to provide them the car which will allow them to showcase their talent in the most competitive positions," Briatore concluded.

Sanchez, the man in charge of the design of the A526 added: "The last year has been truly extraordinary in Formula One terms.

"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.

"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," Sanchez concluded.

"This is the first time in my career where the entire car has had such significant changes," Gasly said. "Of course, everyone heads into this unknown territory, but, as a driver, I find that so exciting.

"This has been a long road for the team to reach this point. We have been working hard on the simulator over the past year in preparation for these new regulations and I know everyone at Enstone has worked extremely hard to develop the best possible package.

"What we see in the first few weeks of the year, beginning with the shakedown next week, will be interesting but this is not the final product as we will continue to learn and develop the entire package each time we're on track.

"I am not setting myself any expectations," the Frenchman claimed. "It will be a case of working really hard with the team to understand areas to improve and we will take it day by day and just try to be as competitive as we can throughout the year

"Of course, I am excited and optimistic, but very much realistic in my ambitions. Right now, my feeling is of immense pride that the team has reached all its milestones in preparing the A526," he concluded.

"Firstly, I am so excited," Colapinto added. "For the first time in my career, I have had a proper off-season in preparation for a full-time year right from testing and the first race.

"For me, this is really important as I feel a real part of the project and it means I can really work hard with everyone at the team from the beginning.

"We have had a good chance to see the car and prepare on the simulator. Of course, it is very different to anything I have experienced so far and I think that is the same for most drivers on the grid.

"There are new tricks and new challenges to learn to extract the most from the package and I see that as a truly amazing challenge.

"I know everyone at the team is extremely motivated to have a good season. I will just try to learn as much as possible in the early races, keep building, keep growing and hopefully that will mean we can be competitive as a team," the Argentine concluded.