Overview
- Alpine released the first official images of the A526 and completed initial track running at Silverstone, including a 200 km filming day with the new Mercedes power unit.
- The A526 will be presented on January 23 aboard an MSC-provided cruise off Barcelona, with Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly, Flavio Briatore and team principal Steve Nielsen in attendance.
- Preseason running is slated for Barcelona from January 26–30, followed by official Bahrain tests from February 11–20, before the season opens in Melbourne on March 6–8.
- Mercedes revealed its 2026 W17 featuring active aerodynamics, a more compact and lighter design, a near 50/50 electric–ICE power split, and sustainable fuels developed with Petronas.
- Mercedes announced a multiyear partnership with Microsoft, shifting the tech giant’s branding from Alpine onto the W17 and into team operations.