Alpine has presented its 2021 Formula 1 car, the A521, marking the start of a new chapter for the Enstone-based outfit.
The team has competed as Renault in the wake of the manufacturer committing to a full-scale Formula 1 return ahead of the 2016 campaign.
Renault has remained in the midst of the midfield battle for several years though in 2020 returned to the podium positions on three occasions.
It went on to classify fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, replicating its 2019 placement, though below its current-era high of fourth, achieved in 2018.
Last September it was revealed that the Formula 1 team, at the behest of newly-appointed Groupe Renault CEO Luca de Meo, would be rebranded as Alpine for 2021.
It is in deference to the sporting arm of the company that De Meo is hoping to revitalise in the coming years.
Alpine has retained Esteban Ocon for 2021 and recruited double World Champion Fernando Alonso on a multi-year deal.
Alonso was not present at the launch of the A521 owing to ongoing Covid-19 entry restrictions in the United Kingdom, as he continues to recover from a fractured jaw sustained last month.
Alonso is returning to Formula 1 after a two-year absence, having departed McLaren after 2018, and is doing so with the team at which he won his world titles in 2005 and 2006.
Ocon has started 67 grands prix with Manor, Force India and Renault, and claimed his maiden podium at December’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
“What we hope is to do at least as well as we did last year,” said Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi.
“That is to say, be a consistent contender for podiums and fight with the best for good to great results during the races.”
Alpine’s Formula 1 efforts will be fronted by ex-Suzuki chief Davide Brivio, who takes up the role of Racing Director, and Executive Director Marcin Budkowski, following the departure of Renault Formula 1 team boss Cyril Abiteboul.
