Alpine launched its 2026 Formula 1 car on an MSC cruise ship in Barcelona on January 23, drawing praise for the reveal but criticism for the unchanged livery. The design retains the blue and pink scheme with black and white accents, similar to the 2025 version. Fans expressed divided opinions on social media.
Alpine's reveal of its 2026 Formula 1 challenger took place aboard an MSC cruise ship in Barcelona on January 23. The event impressed attendees with its spectacle, but the car's livery quickly became a point of contention among fans for its similarity to the previous year's design. The livery features the familiar blue and pink color scheme, accented by black and white elements, continuing the aesthetic introduced in the Alpine and BWT era. This continuity has sparked debate online, with some supporters appreciating the consistency and others calling for more innovation. One fan noted, 'It's the same, but I actually quite like it so I don't mind too much. Maybe that's an unpopular opinion?' Others were less forgiving, with comments like 'It's the same' and 'Before vs before,' highlighting the perceived lack of change. A more detailed critique read: 'The blocking is fine, I just don’t really think the blue and pink looks that great to begin with tbh. IMO it’d be better if they used one for the main colour and the other for detailing or simple lines, the two-tone is just very meh with these specific colours.' Defenders of the design praised its appeal, stating, 'Honestly, I’m happy they kept the livery, it’s far and away the best they’ve had so far in the Alpine and BWT era. The metallic blue is so slick, the BWT logo in hot pink pops so much more than the old blue on pale pink look.' Another remarked, 'I swear people complain about cars not being colourful enough and then simultaneously complain about this,' pointing to the polarized views. Looking ahead, most teams, excluding Williams, will conduct private testing in the coming week, followed by official sessions on February 11-13 and 18-20. The 2026 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.