Alpine have joined Mercedes in unveiling their new car on March the 2nd. Under yet another new guise this century for the Enstone-based team, the car has been named the A521. 

Two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso returns to the team for a third spell with them. The 2005 and 2006 World Champion took both of his crowns with this squad and will be hopeful of more success with Alpine in the years to come. He’ll be joined by Esteban Ocon as the Frenchman stays on for a second season. 

After a road accident last week and surgery on his jaw, Alonso is expected to be fully fit for the new season ahead following a two-year break from Formula One. 

The Enstone team had a better year in 2020 as Daniel Ricciardo (x2) and Esteban Ocon scored podium finishes for them. They finished P5 in the standings, just 21 points adrift of McLaren in 3rd after a huge fight throughout the year with the Woking team and Racing Point. With Alonso behind the wheel, they’ll be hopeful of adding more trophies to the cabinet in 2021.  

There have been significant changes for the team during the winter break. As well as the rebranding of the squad, former team principal Cyril Abiteboul was a shock departure from the company last month. 

Former Suzuki MotoGP boss Davide Brivio, who helped Joan Mir become World Champion with the Japanese brand, has been appointed as the team’s new racing director. The exact shape of Alpine’s managerial organisation has yet to be confirmed.   

All fired up for our 2021 launch, join us virtually on the 2nd March 2021!

💙 Save The Date 💙 pic.twitter.com/R2mGKJAnLe

— Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) February 16, 2021