🇫🇷 Cet article est également disponible en français : Lire en français
BWT Alpine Formula One Team officially hit the track at Barcelona on Friday, January 26, with its brand-new Alpine A526, as Franco Colapinto completed the day’s full driving duties during this private pre-season shakedown.
The young Argentine driver racked up 60 laps (278 kilometres), validating most of the system checks planned by the team in a closed-door environment — with no media or spectators present.
Alpine A526: Friday – Shakedown & Initial Running
The session unfolded in cold and overcast conditions (6 to 14°C), with no major issues reported, aside from a brief red flag caused by a faulty sensor in the morning. After a successful restart, Franco Colapinto resumed the programme without further disruption.
His best lap time — a 1:20.189 on a green track — placed him third on the unofficial timesheets, behind Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) and George Russell (Mercedes).
This raw performance should be taken in context: the team deliberately limited mileage at times to focus on system validation, running conservative engine modes and demo-spec tyres.
Nevertheless, the Alpine A526 proved reliable, well-born, and already in the midfield pace window.
BWT Alpine Formula One Team – One Year of Preparation
Developed from spring 2025 onwards, after the A525 programme was scrapped, the Alpine A526 marks a new era for the Enstone-based team, powered for the first time by a Mercedes-AMG power unit.
Shorter (-200 mm), narrower (-100 mm), and lighter (-30 kg) than its predecessor, the car meets the new-for-2026 FIA regulations, which mandate a minimum weight of 768 kg. The version brought to Barcelona is considered an advanced spec, featuring an aggressive aero package developed in the wind tunnel as early as February 2025 — giving Alpine a 3- to 4-month head start over most rivals.
The chassis features a front pull-rod suspension layout, an optimised-elevation rear diffuser, and twin-entry sidepods with a differentiated internal cooling architecture. The floor and lateral openings are designed to comply with the FIA’s new outwash limitations while maximising active aero efficiency — a core aspect of the 2026 rulebook.
On the development side, Alpine has leveraged a brand-new simulator and modular programmes to validate interchangeable aerodynamic components at a faster pace. Energy management, recovery systems, and active front/rear wing configurations were central to the day’s agenda, with results described as “encouraging” by the technical staff.
They Said
Franco Colapinto – 3rd fastest (1:20.189)
“It’s first of all a great feeling to start my first pre-season in Formula 1. This car feels very different given the scale of the regulation changes, but it’s an incredibly exciting challenge for everyone.
The team has done an outstanding job during the preparation phase to ensure the car was ready to hit the track from day one of the Barcelona shakedown. At this time of year, there’s always a lot to learn — even more so with so many new things to integrate.
It’s really encouraging to feel so much positivity and optimism in the garage and to see every team member so invested.We have two more days of running here, during which we’ll need to complete more laps and cover more mileage. We’ll stay focused on ourselves, keep working hard, stay positive, and try to extract the most from this week.”
Steve Nielsen, Team Principal
“Credit first and foremost to the entire team, both trackside and at the factory. Thanks to their hard work, the car hit the track on the very first day of the shakedown — almost immediately after the pit exit light turned green.
That reflects their effort and commitment, allowing us to begin this new era — both in terms of regulations and team direction — in the best possible conditions, ready to run at the first opportunity. After last week’s filming day at Silverstone, where Pierre had his first taste of the A526, it was Franco’s turn today.
This first day was relatively standard. We went through various programmes while checking all systems. We encountered a few expected minor issues with an entirely new car. On days like these, the priority is to learn and understand — not to go too fast too soon. That’s why we deliberately chose to limit some of our mileage to ensure all systems and processes were functioning properly.
We still have two more days on track this week. How we structure them will depend on several factors, including the weather and track conditions, as we aim to maximise running time and continue learning as much as we can about our overall package.”
Looking Ahead
Two additional track days are scheduled in Barcelona for BWT Alpine Formula One Team. The driving plan between Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto will depend on weather conditions, technical priorities, and learnings from Day 1.
The team’s goal is to maximise mileage while refining the understanding of the A526’s behaviour under varying aerodynamic and energy management configurations.
The next major milestone will be the official pre-season test in Bahrain.
| Session | Driver | Laps | Distance | Best time | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakedown – AM | Franco Colapinto | 28 | ≈130 km | 1:21.850 | Overcast, 6°C |
| Shakedown – PM | Franco Colapinto | 32 | ≈148 km | 1:20.189 | Dry, 14°C |
| Total Day 1 | Franco Colapinto | 60 | 278 km | 1:20.189 | Cool, stable |
Source: BWT Alpine Formula One Team
