Alpine F1 Team officially ushered in its new era yesterday by unveiling its first-ever entry into the FIA Formula One World Championship.
This year's race car, the A521, stands out with its striking blue, white and red livery, synonymous with Alpine's heritage and pedigree in motorsport. The car is powered by the Renault E-Tech 20B 1.6L V6 engine designed and developed in Viry-Châtillon, marking 45 years of uninterrupted F1 activity for the French automaker.
The A521 is an evolution of the R.S.20 that competed in the 2020 championship. In line with the regulatory changes adopted last year in response to the global pandemic, the main structural elements of the A521 are a carryover from last season. However, we have further developed and improved all the parts that were not homologated, especially the rear part of the car, where additional changes to the aerodynamic regulations were imposed by the FIA.
Luca De Meo, CEO Groupe Renault: "It is a real pleasure to see the powerful, vibrant Alpine name on a Formula 1 car. New colors, new management team, ambitious plans: it's a fresh start that builds on 40 years of history. We will combine Alpine's values - authenticity, elegance and boldness - with our in-house engineering and chassis expertise. That's the beauty of competing as a factory team in Formula 1. We will be competing against the biggest names and driving spectacular car races watched by cheering enthusiasts. I can't wait for the season to start."
The Alpine F1 Team's first challengers will be drivers Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso. Fernando returns to Formula 1 after a two-year break, joining the team with which he won both of his Formula 1 drivers' championships in 2005 and 2006. Esteban, who is entering his second year with the team, will look to build on a strong 2020 season that saw the 24-year-old score his first ever podium finish in Formula One at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix. He begins his fourth full season in the sport since making his debut in August 2016. Alpine Academy driver Guanyu Zhou will continue as a test driver for the team while also competing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship for UNI-Virtuosi.
The team is led by the new management trio Alpine CEO Laurent Rossi, Executive Director Marcin Budkowski and Racing Director Davide Brivio. The technical teams in Enstone and Viry will continue to be led by Pat Fry, Chassis Technical Director, and Rémi Taffin, Engine Technical Director.
The first ever Alpine F1 Team car will make its track debut tomorrow with Esteban Ocon at a film day at Silverstone Circuit, two weeks before the official pre-season tests at Bahrain International Circuit.
Laurent Rossi: "We are proud to present today the first Alpine F1 Team Formula 1 car that will compete in the 2021 championship. This is an important milestone for Alpine as it positions itself as the brand at the forefront of Groupe Renault innovation. Alpine naturally finds its place in the high standards, prestige and performance of Formula 1 and we are excited to see the debut of the A521 driven by our drivers, two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon. This year, our goal is clear: We want to continue the momentum from last year and fight for podium places. Our long-term vision is to see the Alpine name on the top step of the podium in Formula 1. Motorsport is in our DNA and now it's time for the Alpine colors to compete in the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1."
Esteban Ocon: "I'm very excited to start the season and test the A521 for the first time in Bahrain. It has been a long and busy off-season full of preparations and I feel, together with the team, ready for the coming year. I love the new Alpine colors and, as a Frenchman, it's a great pride to wear the French flag on the car. I feel better prepared than last year, and I think that's only natural because I'm going into this season having raced for a full year in 2020. I want to start the season at the same level as I finished last year, and I see no reason why that can't be the case. Working with Fernando will be fantastic. He's a driver I look up to and a person I've been inspired by for a long time. I'm looking forward to working with him and pushing him on the track to make sure the team achieves its goals."
Fernando Alonso: "I am very excited to be back in Formula 1 and to be part of the next chapter of the Alpine F1 Team. I have been working hard to prepare for my return to Formula 1 and the goal is to attack from the start. Driving the car for the first time will be a very exciting experience and I hope both factories can save the moment. We have a strong team and together with Esteban we have to improve on last year and deliver results. We know it will be a very competitive season, but we are ready for the challenge. The car looks great and I have fond memories of racing the blue car in Formula 1."
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