Team Information
| Full Name | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
|---|---|
| Base | Enstone, UK / Viry-Châtillon, France |
| Team Principal | Oliver Oakes |
| Engine | Renault |
| Chassis | A526 (2026) |
| Founded | 1981 (as Toleman; Renault works team from 2002) |
| Constructors’ Titles | 2 (as Renault, 2005 & 2006) |
Team History
The team that competes today as Alpine has one of the most colourful and convoluted histories on the Formula 1 grid. The Enstone factory’s origins date back to 1981 when Ted Toleman founded Toleman Motorsport. The team gained fame when Ayrton Senna drove for them in 1984, most memorably in a rain-soaked Monaco Grand Prix where the young Brazilian nearly won on his way to stardom.
Toleman became Benetton in 1986, and the team rose to prominence in the early 1990s under the technical brilliance of Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne. Michael Schumacher delivered two consecutive Drivers’ Championships in 1994 and 1995, establishing the Enstone factory as a genuine powerhouse. When Schumacher departed for Ferrari, the team was eventually sold to Renault in 2002.
Renault’s first stint as a works team produced remarkable success. Under the leadership of Flavio Briatore and with Pat Symonds overseeing engineering, Fernando Alonso became the youngest World Champion in history in 2005 at the age of 24, and repeated the feat in 2006. The team won back-to-back Constructors’ Championships during this golden period, defeating the mighty Ferrari and McLaren operations.
The team subsequently went through further identity changes — becoming Lotus from 2012 to 2015, achieving race victories with Kimi Räikkönen, before Renault returned as a full works entry in 2016. The Alpine rebrand came in 2021, with Esteban Ocon delivering a shock victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix that season. Under young team principal Oliver Oakes, Alpine are focused on developing a competitive package with Pierre Gasly leading the charge and Australian rookie Jack Doohan bringing fresh talent to the operation. With Renault continuing to develop their power unit for the 2026 regulations, Alpine hope to return to the front of the grid where the Enstone factory has historically belonged.
Championship Record & Notable Achievements
- Constructors’ Championships: 2 (as Renault, 2005 & 2006)
- Drivers’ Championships: 4 (Schumacher 1994 & 1995 as Benetton; Alonso 2005 & 2006 as Renault)
- Race Victories: 50+ (across all identities)
- Enstone Factory Heritage: Toleman → Benetton → Renault → Lotus → Renault → Alpine
- 2021 Hungarian GP: Ocon’s maiden victory as Alpine
- Notable Drivers: Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Ayrton Senna, Kimi Räikkönen, Pierre Gasly
How to Watch Alpine
Follow Alpine throughout the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, with highlights available on Channel 4. Every practice session, qualifying, sprint, and race is covered across the season’s 24-round calendar.
For the complete broadcast schedule including session times, streaming options on Sky Go and NOW TV, and free-to-air coverage details, visit our dedicated F1 TV schedule page.
View Full TV Schedule →