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BWT Alpine Formula One Team is preparing to take a critical step in its 2026 campaign with the first official outing of the Alpine A526, scheduled for Thursday, January 22, at Silverstone Circuit. This track session is particularly significant as it marks the operational debut of the Mercedes power unit within the Enstone-based outfit, following two decades of Renault-powered machinery.
The Alpine A526, designed under the new 2026 technical regulations, will hit the track for the first time as part of an FIA-authorised filming day. The session, limited to 200 kilometres, aims solely to validate system reliability. No performance targets are set at this stage.
According to several aligned sources, Pierre Gasly will take the lead for this initial run, while Franco Colapinto continues his intensive simulator programme in Enstone.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team : A decisive session at Silverstone
The move to the 2026 season is not just about switching engine suppliers. Alpine has undertaken a complete redesign of its technical package. While the Mercedes unit offers a proven foundation—recalling the German manufacturer’s dominance at the start of the hybrid era in 2014—it remains just one element of a much more complex equation.
At the centre of attention is the Alpine A526 chassis, developed over several months using wind tunnel and CFD resources boosted by the team’s last-place finish in the 2025 constructors’ standings. Expectations are high, but so are concerns. The new car’s design, built around a customer engine, must integrate simplified active aerodynamics, revised hybrid systems, and meet the stringent minimum weight target—all while ensuring structural and thermal reliability.
This technical cohesion is precisely where Alpine has faced challenges in recent years.
That said, one early milestone was successfully met. On January 5, Alpine completed the first static fire-up of the Mercedes power unit at its Enstone facility. The test, overseen by engineers from Brixworth, confirmed that key systems—electronics, hybrid management, and cooling—were functioning as expected.
An initial shakedown had been scheduled for January 11 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. However, it was postponed due to late delivery of final technical data from Mercedes and internal inspections at Enstone, which revealed fluid leaks requiring further refinement.
First real test for the Alpine A526
As of January 19, specialised outlets report that the shakedown has been rescheduled for Thursday, January 22 at Silverstone, one day before the official livery reveal in Barcelona.
This private track session will serve strictly to verify system integrity and basic integration, with no performance mapping or aerodynamic development involved.
Pierre Gasly is expected to complete approximately 100 kilometres, likely on a shortened layout of the Silverstone circuit. Franco Colapinto, meanwhile, is not currently confirmed to drive that day but remains fully engaged in simulator operations.
The Alpine A526 will run in a temporary black livery, a common practice to hide aero concepts before the car’s true specification is revealed during Bahrain pre-season testing.
One internal point of satisfaction: early indications suggest that the Alpine A526 is already close to the FIA minimum weight limit of 768 kg. In the context of the 2026 rules—where excess weight is heavily penalised—this could offer a key performance advantage.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team – Confirmed winter schedule
| Date | Session | Circuit | Pierre Gasly | Franco Colapinto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2026 | Shakedown (filming day) | Silverstone (UK) | ~100 km (expected) | Not confirmed |
| January 23, 2026 | Official livery presentation | Barcelona (Spain) | Present | Present |
| Jan 26–30, 2026 | Private testing (3 selected days) | Barcelona (Spain) | Expected to participate | Expected to participate |
| Feb 11–13, 2026 | Pre-season testing – Session 1 | Bahrain | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Feb 18–20, 2026 | Pre-season testing – Session 2 | Bahrain | Confirmed | Confirmed |
Despite the delay to the initial shakedown, race director Dave Greenwood and sporting director Steve Nielsen have both reaffirmed that the project remains on schedule according to internal targets. The integration with Mercedes is progressing step by step, with a continued focus on reliability, cooling efficiency, and full-system synchronisation.
Conclusion
For BWT Alpine Formula One Team, this shakedown is far from routine. It represents the transition from a long phase of theoretical design to the real-world implementation of the Alpine A526.
While the Mercedes engine may offer a solid technical backbone, the chassis will be the true test of Alpine’s 2026 campaign. Its architecture, balance, and ability to exploit new aerodynamic and hybrid technologies will ultimately dictate the team’s competitiveness under Formula One’s revised regulations.
The answers won’t come all at once—but at Silverstone on January 22, the first chapter of this crucial season begins to take shape.
Source : f1.com
