Alpine has revealed a unique approach to Formula 1’s new aerodynamics regulations, specifically regarding the design of its rear wing for the 2026 season.
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While most teams opted for a conventional DRS-style opening, Alpine is the sole exception, with its rear wing retracting when straight-line mode is activated instead of opening automatically, which has caused some apprehension for team principal Steve Nielsen. In an interview with the press, Nielsen admitted to being ‘nervous’ about the decision, especially since no other team followed the same path: “Of course I am,” Nielsen stated when asked about his fears. “When something is unusual, it doesn’t mean it’s wrong, but you think: ‘Wow, that’s not the same as what others are doing’,” he said.
Despite this, Nielsen emphasized that the team made this choice for its own reasons and evaluated the solution throughout pre-season testing in Bahrain: “If we saw something interesting on other cars, we modeled it and tried to reproduce it,” the official explained, highlighting that Alpine is attentive to the performance of its car, the A526, and how it positions itself among the midfield teams.
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With a good performance during the pre-season and a partnership with Mercedes as an engine supplier, Alpine has shown that it is looking to consolidate itself as a competitive force in 2026. However, the choice of the rear wing will be one of the points to be monitored throughout the season to see if the innovative solution will bring advantages or disadvantages to the team.
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