Alpine A526: the front is different from all the others

Alpine aims to recover from the bottom of the grid, thanks to the Mercedes power unit and free from the limitations of the previous Renault engine. The technical department, directed by ex-Ferrari David Sanchez, tried to create a platform worthy of the Brixworth engine, being able to take advantage of more hours in the wind tunnel by virtue of the recent placings at the bottom of the constructors’ classification. The result is a car different from all the others and which in some areas could set a precedent. Here’s the pull-rod again. The 2026 cars are characterized by a strong inclination of the upper suspension arms, taking advantage of the external elements to guide the flows in the direction of the bottom and the bodywork. The new Alpine is no exception (1), but stands out above all for its pull-rod layout, one of the few on the grid to adopt it together with Williams and the debuting Cadillac, thus installing the spring-shock absorber assembly in the lower part of the chassis. The dualism with the push-rod scheme seen during the ground effect era is proposed again, without any superiority of one solution over the other from a mechanical point of view, reflecting, if anything, a different aerodynamic approach. Rob Marshall, McLaren’s Chief Designer, also recently expressed his opinion on the subject: “It all depends on the aerodynamic choices, on which suspension adapts to your front wing, which is obviously completely new. […] It’s all driven by aerodynamics. Mechanically speaking, both schemes are quite easy to implement”. From 2021 onwards, in fact, the suspension arms have remained the only elements interposing between the front wing and the bottom and as such have taken on an even more important role from an aerodynamic point of view. Marshall’s words, according to which the choice depends on the aerodynamic interaction with the front end, are perfectly reflected in the front wing of the A526, different from all the others. The main profile (2) It has a wavy shape, allowing a glimpse of the bulkheads below, almost following the inclination of the pull-rod rod, which is in turn aligned with the rear arm. The impression is that at the front Alpine has set up an aerodynamic structure that is completely different from its rivals, which has an impact on the choices. intakes along the single-seater. The air scope, the dynamic intake above the driver, maintains the traditional oval shape (3), but the striking features are the vents of the side radiators (4). These are more squared and narrower than the competition, drawing the cooling air closer to the chassis, a sign of its different management by the pull-rod front suspension. of the diffuser. From the outside it is difficult to appreciate it, due to the lateral shoulder of the side that protects the bottom from the turbulent wake of the front wheels. In the upper part you can see some notches that recall those of the Red Bull 2024, which invite the local flows to flow outwards, given that the strut layout allows the spring-shock absorber group to be installed in the upper part, reducing the overall dimensions in the lower area. The inclination of the rod also avoids hindering the flows that flow to the sides of the transmission, injecting more energy into the environment behind the diffuser, to the benefit of the performance of the bottom. The mobile wing is innovative. Another intriguing element of the new Alpine is the rear mobile wing, whose activation in 2026 affects two profiles the movement of the old DRS, with the flaps pivoting along the rear edge, raising the most advanced part, the Enstone team has thought outside the box, rotating the profiles in reverse and lowering them backwards. One wonders whether, in doing so, Alpine has not found a greater effectiveness of the system, exploiting the interaction between the moving flaps and the main profile to reduce the load generated by the latter as well. The active aerodynamics will be an important area of comparison between the teams consumption, preserving battery charge and allowing the electric motor to be exploited for longer. Overall, the A526 represents the opening of a new course for Alpine and not just due to the regulatory revolution or the arrival of Mercedes engines. The 2026 car is the first project handled entirely by the new technical structure, reorganized following the exodus of several key figures in the spring of 2024. The Brixworth power unit represents a great opportunity, but to improve on recent results. it will also be appropriate to listen to the indications of the drivers during development, which were too often ignored in recent seasons.