New Mercedes customer Alpine has fired up the German marque’s new Formula 1 power unit in a teasing social media post ahead of the new season.
The Enstone-based squad has ditched its OEM status with F1 stalwarts Renault ahead of the new campaign, as part of cost-cutting measures under the stewardship of Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore.
Alpine endured a torrid 2025, finishing bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with 22 points, 48 behind ninth-placed Sauber, punctuated by the departure of Team Principal Oliver Oakes earlier in the season.
But it will enjoy the luxury of continuity in 2026, with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto both retained by the team to lead it into F1’s new regulations cycle, along with Steve Nielsen in his role as Managing Director.
![Flavio Briatore has led Alpine to close ties with Toto Wolff, as it joins McLaren and Williams, led by James Vowles [centre], as a Mercedes customer](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Alpine-Mercedes-F1-2-1024x576.webp)
And it appears that the team cannot contain its excitement about its new beginnings as it has taken to social media to give fans a brief snippet of the sound of the engine it hopes to be firing them to success this year.
It follows Honda, whose return to F1 in an exclusive deal with Aston Martin this year was similarly teased just a few weeks ago.
Alpine will fully launch its 2026 season, complete with a livery reveal, on January 15.
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