Alpine’s Power Play: The Mercedes Era Begins
Alpine’s Play: The Mercedes Era Begins
The Alpine 2026 launch isn't just about a new look—it’s about a total identity shift.
After years of struggling with an underpowered Renault unit, the team has made the seismic transition to a Mercedes customer engine.
With the 2026 regulation reset acting as the "Great Equaliser," Alpine is banking on German engineering to propel it back into the heat of the midfield fight.
The "Horner" Rumours & Enstone Reality
The launch has been shrouded in one of the wildest rumours of the winter: the potential move of Christian Horner to Alpine.
While the team remains focused on the reality of the 2026 season, the sheer volume of speculation suggests that Alpine is looking to overhaul its leadership to match its new technical ambitions.
Whether or not Horner makes the jump, the message is clear: Alpine is no longer content with being an "also-ran non-contender team."
Gasly’s Point to Prove
Pierre Gasly gave the new Alpine-Mercedes its first shakedown earlier this week at Silverstone, and his feedback was reportedly glowing.
Gasly is a driver who knows how to win when the machinery is right—lest we forget, he dominated the 2016 GP2 Series to take the championship with Prema Racing.
For Gasly, the Mercedes engine is the missing piece of the puzzle.
He has often said he can beat anyone on the grid if given a level playing field, and with the "Brackley Power" now behind him, 2026 might finally be the year he moves from the midfield into the podium conversation.
The Livery: A Bold New Look
The 2026 livery is a refined evolution, balancing Alpine’s signature blue with striking accents that highlight the car's new, slimmer chassis.
The design looks aggressive and purpose-built for the high-speed "nimble car" era. As the team heads to Barcelona for testing, the focus will be on integrating the Mercedes power unit and on whether the Enstone chassis can handle the extra "zip" of its new heart.
At Senate Grand Prix, we are watching Alpine very closely. A hungry Gasly with a Mercedes engine is a dangerous combination for the rest of the pack.
And as always, when the lights go out and the drama unfolds, here at Senate Grand Prix, there is only one winner, and that's you, the race fans!
Comments
Post a Comment