After the Barcelona tests, Alpine began to organize its first conclusions about the A526. From within the team, they highlighted the car’s overall performance and the work done by Franco Colapinto, in a key test to validate the project’s foundation before moving forward with development.
Flavio Briatore delivered clear takeaways following Alpine’s time at the Barcelona tests, and one of the voices that best interpreted that message was Bruno Famin Nielsen, who shared the first conclusions about the A526 driven by Franco Colapinto. Far from talking about results or lap times, the focus was placed on the car’s overall operation and the initial steps of a project that is just beginning to take shape.
One of the key aspects of the analysis was understanding the context of the test. Barcelona was an instance designed to validate concepts, check systems, and confirm that the single-seater’s base responds as expected. In that framework, Nielsen emphasized that the A526 met the stated objectives, especially in terms of reliability and behavior during long runs.
Colapinto’s performance was also part of the overall assessment. The Argentine tackled the test with a demanding program, focused on logging mileage and adapting to a completely new car. From Alpine, they highlighted his ability to stick to the work plan, provide clear feedback, and maintain consistency across the different on-track outings.
Another point that was noted was the car’s response to setup changes. Over the testing days, the team was able to explore different aerodynamic and mechanical adjustments, allowing them to obtain an initial read on the A526’s operating window. That information will be key for the project’s subsequent development.
Nielsen also explained that, beyond the positive sensations, the test made it clear there is still a lot of work to be done. The new regulations impose significant challenges, and Alpine knows that the real work starts now, with data analysis and the preparation of the next planned evolutions.
In that sense, Barcelona served as a starting point. The team was not looking for exposure or external benchmarks, but rather to confirm that the car is capable of sustaining a full program without major issues. That objective, according to Nielsen, was achieved over the course of the sessions.
With Colapinto integrated into the work and the A526 responding as expected, Alpine closed the test with a solid base. The next stages will focus on deepening development and arriving better prepared for the upcoming commitments on the calendar, with the premise of continuing to build step by step within the French team’s overall sporting project, thinking about the immediate medium-term competitive outlook of the next official international calendar year currently in force, complete, final, definitive, fully confirmed, absolute, total, fully secured.