New Formual 1 team Alpine, former Renault, has unveiled its car for the 2021 World Championship this Tuesday. The Alpine A521 is the vehicle that Fernando Alonso will be driving on his return to the Continental Circus after a two-year absence, together with his French teammate Esteban Ocon. The epidemiological situation has meant the event had to be live-streamed in social networks from the team’s headquarters in Enstone (England). 

Sixty-six years after the birth of Alpine, this car marks a new sporting era for the brand. The firm from Dieppe is heir to the Renault team and remains integrated into the same business group. 

The iconic metallic blue of the Alpine marque dominates throughout the body of the car, only to be interrupted by a wide vertical red stripe over the engine hood. Inside this, there is a large letter A in white, completing the colours of the French flag. Likewise, the national flag is depicted on both the front and rear wings, as a bold tribute to the French team. 

As for the design itself, the Alpine A521 follows on the line of its predecessor, the Renault RS20. The upcoming season, let’s not forget, is sort of transitional to the new era of Formula One in 2022, the year when the new FIA regulations are coming into force after being postponed following the COVID pandemic. 

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Alonso, ‘attack mode’

Unfortunately, the Spanish driver has been unable to attend the launch of his new team and his Alpine A521 in the flesh due to the travel restrictions imposed by the UK’s authorities but has intervened from his Swiss home:

“I am very happy to be able to return to Formula 1 and to be part of Alpine’s next chapter in the sport. I have been working very hard to be prepared for my return to the World Cup and my goal is to go on the attack from the beginning. Driving a car for the first time is always something special” – Said Alonso. 

Talking about his expectations for the upcoming season, Alonso forecasts a very close contest for the midfield teams, where Alpine will probably be located. Because of this, Alonso believes the devil is going to be in the detail, and the subtleties between the teams could make a difference in the outcome. 

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The two-time champion has also spoken of his great memories of the last time he raced a blue car in Formula 1, and of his hopes to experience similar moments again in 2021 and beyond:

“We have a strong team and Esteban and I must build on the pressure to achieve good results. We are aware that it will be a very even season, although we are prepared for this challenge. The car looks very good and I have great memories of the time when I competed in blue in Formula 1” – Concluded Fernando -. 

After his cycling accident on February 11, which forced him to undergo surgery for a fracture in his jaw, he continues with his preparation at his current home in Lugano. The Spaniard is now focused on being fighting fit for the tests which are due to start in ten days (March 12-14) in Bahrain. At the age of 39, and after a two-year absence from the competition, this year is sure to pose a challenge for the Spaniard, to say the least.  

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As a more tangible, short-term objective, they shall join forces to improve on the fifth place achieved by the French team in 2020 after an arduous fight with McLaren and Racing Point. 

Images of Alpine A521: Alpine F1 Team.