Page 1 of 1 In addition to the sweeping rule changes that have come into effect in 2026, there was a more profound change at the Alpine team over the winter. Gone is the in-house developed Renault hybrid power unit that never managed to live up to the fabled V8 and V10 engines produced at the Viry-Chatillon factory. The new A526 will instead be powered by the dominant Mercedes-AMG F1 unit that consists of a turbocharged V6 engine and a single hybrid element. The internal combustion engine and the electric motor will both be responsible for 50% of the power produced.
In addition to the change of engine supplier, the A526 is also fundamentally different from its disappointing predecessor as part of the new regulations. It is smaller, lighter and lacks the ground effect aerodynamics used during the previous rules cycle. As part of the new regulations, the front and rear wing are active to ensure the cars keep accelerating down the straights once the battery has been drained. Another new feature is a push-to-pass button, which works only when the battery is sufficiently charged.
As in the final races of the 2025 season, the Alpine driver line-up consists of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly. Page 1 of 1
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In addition to the sweeping rule changes that have come into effect in 2026, there was a more profound change at the Alpine team over the winter. Gone is the in-house developed Renault hybrid power unit that never managed to live up to the fabled V8 and V10 engines produced at the Viry-Chatillon factory. The new A526 will instead be powered by the dominant Mercedes-AMG F1 unit that consists of a turbocharged V6 engine and a single hybrid element. The internal combustion engine and the electric motor will both be responsible for 50% of the power produced.