Few analysts have put Alpine at the centre of their focus in the build-up to the 2026 season. In a contrast from previous years, the Enstone team find themselves under the radar.<\/p>\n
To some extent, this is thanks to a period of relative stability. Retaining Pierre Gasly<\/a> and Franco Colapinto give Alpine some continuity on the driver front, while Flavio Briatore’s control over the team’s direction is also unchanged.<\/p>\n That aside, arguably the bigger reason why Alpine are being overlooked is – bluntly – their poor performance in 2025.<\/p>\n Finishing last in the constructors has dampened any excitement about the French team’s prospects this season. Despite this, there are reasons why Alpine should not be completely discounted.<\/p>\n Formula 1 is always unpredictable, and never more so than amidst a drastic regulation change like this one.<\/p>\n Williams failing to have their car ready for the Barcelona shakedown was early evidence that nobody is safe from committing potentially fatal blunders.<\/p>\n Speaking of Williams, the British team were widely seen as ones to watch over the winter break. Having finished 5th in last season’s Championship (despite directing all of last year’s resources into 2026 development), Williams were seen as dark horses.<\/p>\n Of course, their assembly delays with the FW48<\/a> – including failed crash tests – have changed this perception. More broadly, it highlight the real possibility for teams to spring a surprise – whether positive or negative – in 2026.<\/p>\n This is where Alpine come into the equation. Although finishing the 2025 season at the bottom of the standings was clearly disappointing, this finishing position should be contextualised.<\/p>\n Aware that contention for anything significant was unrealistic, Alpine committed to the 2026 regulations quite early. To be clear, they were not the only team to make this decision – with Williams being another notable example.<\/p>\n Still, whilst Alpine were less vocal about their decision, they prioritised 2026 very quickly.<\/p>\n By extension, Flavio Briatore revealed that he returned to Alpine under one very specific condition:<\/p>\n “With Luca de Meo [former Renault CEO], when we were talking about joining the team, only one condition for me to join the team was to have a Mercedes engine.<\/em><\/p>\n “It was not Plan B. There was only one plan. I wanted a Mercedes engine completely, it was the only way to come back.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIn this moment, you need to be with the best people, and the people of Mercedes, since we started working together\u2026 it\u2019s a super, super relationship. This is what we’re looking for.” (cont. on next page)<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Alpine’s Mercedes engine agreement will be essential to their chances of success in 2026. By extension, their integration of the German manufacturer’s power unit is also critical.<\/p>\n During last week’s Barcelona Shakedown, Oscar Piastri<\/a> discussed the process of optimising Mercedes power. The Australian stressed the importance of learning how to extract performance from such a multi-faceted component.<\/p>\n Energy harvesting, sustainable fuels and – of course – pure horsepower are all vital considerations. For customer teams, adapting to the power unit they are supplied with is a critical process.<\/p>\n Alpine have been very satisfied with this process until now:<\/p>\n “We work [with Mercedes] in the most open way possible,” <\/em>said Technical Director David Sanchez. “The exchanges are very good, the integration of this power unit went very well.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNow we will continue to correct the remaining minor issues and focus on reliability and overall integration.<\/em><\/p>\n These quotes, which came after Alpine’s filming day in Silverstone, were backed up with significant running in Barcelona. The A526 completed over 340 laps at last week’s Shakedown. Only Mercedes, Ferrari and Haas<\/a> surpassed this total.<\/p>\n Whilst nothing is guaranteed after a single shakedown week, Alpine were satisfied with the A526’s run time. At a time when a few teams were experiencing sizable issues and delays, everything went smoothly for the French squad.<\/p>\n Ultimately, success in 2026 will not be determined by power unit alone. Ferrari and Red Bull<\/a> both demonstrated an impressive level of durability in Barcelona which – for the time being – has calmed down fears that Mercedes engines will be the biggest difference-maker.<\/p>\n From an engineering perspective, there have been positive indications for Alpine.<\/p>\n It was reported several weeks ago that Alpine are already at the 768kg minimum weight. Since then, a few other teams – such as Mercedes and Haas – are also understood to be within a few kilograms of the regulatory minimum.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Still, there are many teams – including Williams<\/a> – expected to start 2026 significantly above 768kg. This should give the A526 an early boost when the season kicks off in Australia.<\/p>\nAlpine commit early to 2026<\/h2>\n
Positive integration with Mercedes engine<\/h4>\n
Alpine A526: Lightweight and reliable<\/h4>\n