Alpine Fires Up First Mercedes Power Unit for 2026 Season

Alpine has officially fired up its first Mercedes power unit, a landmark moment as the team prepares to leave its Renault works partnership for the 2026 Formula 1 season. The French outfit shared the moment online, generating a massive social media response that highlights both the excitement and controversy surrounding this major strategic shift. This move positions Alpine as a customer team alongside McLaren and Williams under the Mercedes power unit umbrella, trading its heritage for a shot at the front.

Why it matters:

This move signals a fundamental strategic reset for Alpine, abandoning its identity as a works team to prioritize on-track performance. The team is betting that a proven Mercedes power unit will provide the competitive edge it has struggled to achieve with its own Renault engines in the hybrid era. It marks the end of an era for the Enstone-based outfit under the Renault/Alpine banner, a partnership that, in its various forms, has been a cornerstone of the team for decades.

The details:

• The team's social media post, captioned "okay it's happening EVERYONE STAY CALM!!", quickly went viral, demonstrating the high level of fan engagement with the team's new direction.
• The fan reaction was deeply divided, reflecting the significance of the change.
  • Positive: Many fans expressed immense hope for a "biggest comeback in 2026," excited by the prospect of pairing Mercedes power with the team's chassis capabilities.
  • Negative: A significant portion of the fanbase felt the move betrayed Alpine's Renault heritage, with some long-time supporters stating they could no longer follow the team, arguing an "Alpine is part of Renault's legacy, not Mercedes."
• The deal, announced in November 2024, is for Mercedes power units and gearboxes and will run until at least 2030.

What's next:

Alpine will join McLaren and Williams as Mercedes customers from 2026, while Aston Martin departs for Honda. All focus now shifts to the immense challenge of integrating the Mercedes power unit with the new chassis, codenamed A526, designed for the next generation of F1 regulations. If successful, this bold gamble could propel Alpine back into the winner's circle, but it comes at the cost of its unique identity as a Renault-powered constructor.