F1 team release MAJOR update over 2026 car

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F1 team release MAJOR update over 2026 car

Alpine F1 have issued a major updated over their machinery

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Thursday 9 January 2025 09:57 Updated: 15:08

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Alpine Formula 1 team have revealed a major update regarding their machinery for 2026.

The Enstone-based outfit already began preparing for a huge change set to come into play, as teams across the grid will have to get to grips with the new regulations.

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Throughout 2024, Alpine endured a difficult season, struggling to see improvement from their driver duo of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.

In a low moment for the team, the pair collided at the Monaco GP after Ocon lunged down the inside of his team-mate with nowhere to go, landing himself with a DNF and handing Gasly the tricky task of having to work his way up into the points.

During the final stages of the season, however, Oliver Oakes' team began to see more positive results, with the difficult duo of Gasly and Ocon landing a double podium at the Brazilian GP, the team's best result of the year.

Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly earned an impressive double podium in Sao Paulo

From 2026, Alpine will use a Mercedes engine

Alpine reveal 2026 preparations

Despite the team's success reportedly landing them with a $50 million windfall thanks to their P6 finish in the constructors' standings, Oakes and Alpine's F1 advisor Flavio Briatore opted to drop Ocon for 2025, even replacing him early at the final race weekend of the year.

Gasly took to the track in Abu Dhabi joined by his rookie team-mate Jack Doohan, although it is currently unknown who will partner Gasly for the new regulations in 2026.

Another change the team confirmed last season was that they would become a customer team, swapping their own engines for a Mercedes package having now shut down the F1 element of their factory in Viry-Chatillon.

Now, the team have revealed that work is swiftly underway on their 2026 machinery after they teased a picture of their 2026 Alpine, which will feature a Mercedes engine.

Their post on social media read: "We’ve been busy in the wind tunnel alright. Last week, in accordance with FIA regulations, official Wind Tunnel testing of the 2026 BWT Alpine Formula One Team car (A526) began."

We’ve been busy in the wind tunnel alright ?

Last week, in accordance with FIA regulations, official Wind Tunnel testing of the 2026 BWT Alpine Formula One Team car (A526) began ? pic.twitter.com/MwgX0oMzCB
— BWT Alpine Formula One Team (@AlpineF1Team) January 7, 2025

Written by

Kerry Violet - F1 News Editor

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a 2:1 in Journalism in 2022, Kerry continued her pursuit of finding a full-time position in motorsport through work with the F1 Arcade in London, where she got to meet true fans of the sport and make a live grand prix watch party memorable for them. It was here that she confirmed her dream of combining her background in journalism and love of motorsport, going on to volunteer with the female-led platform Empoword Journalism. Having completed stints as a screen editor and sports editor, Kerry landed her first F1-specific editorial role with GPFans and has thoroughly enjoyed continuing to work closely with the sport ever since. The access GPFans offers Kerry has allowed her to interview big names such as Naomi Schiff and David Coulthard and given her experiences she could only have dreamt of as a young F1 fan.

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