Alpine A521 '2021

Alpine A521 '2021

Le 02 March 2021

Alpine F1 Team officially heralded its new era today by virtually launching its first ever entry into the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

This year’s competitor, the A521, boasts a striking livery of blue, white and red which is synonymous to Alpine’s heritage and pedigree in motorsports. The car will be powered by the Renault E-Tech 20B 1.6L V6 engine power unit, designed and developed in Viry-Châtillon, marking 45 years of unbroken F1 activity for the French car manufacturer.

The A521 is an evolution of the R.S.20, which competed in the 2020 championship. In line with the regulatory changes agreed last year in response to the global pandemic, the main structural elements of the A521 are a carry-over from last season. However, we have developed and improved every part that has not been homologated, especially the back of the car where additional changes to the Aerodynamic regulations were imposed by the FIA.

Alpine F1 Team’s first challenger will be handed to drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso. Fernando returns to Formula 1 following a two-year break, re-joining the outfit with which he claimed his two Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championships in 2005 and 2006.

Esteban – who enters his second year with the team – will look to build on a strong 2020 campaign which saw the 24-year-old score his first ever podium in Formula 1 at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. He begins his fourth full season in the sport since making his debut in August 2016.

The team will be spearheaded by the new leadership trio of Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, Executive Director Marcin Budkowski and Racing Director Davide Brivio. Leading the technical teams at Enstone and Viry respectively will continue to be Pat Fry, Chassis Technical Director and Rémi Taffin, Engine Technical Director.

Alpine Academy driver Guanyu Zhou continues in his role as the team’s Test Driver, alongside competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship for UNI-Virtuosi.

The first ever Alpine F1 Team car will make its on track debut tomorrow with Esteban Ocon at a filming day at Silverstone Circuit, two weeks ahead of official pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.

https://media.alpinecars.com/alpine-f1-team-launches-2021-campaign