F1: Alpine go blue for their A521 livery

The Alpine F1 team have unveiled their first car to be raced under the historic motorsport name.

Wearing a predominantly blue livery, and having a returning driver in their line-up, excitement builds for the 2021 season.

The car will still be powered by the Renault powerplant, but the new team have upgraded every non-homologated part.

They will be aiming northwards of fifth place in the Constructors’ championship, as Renault were consistently front-midfield runners in the season-gone-by alongside McLaren and Racing Point.

Fernando Alonso, who won two drivers titles with Renault, has been recouped to partner the young Frenchman Esteban Ocon, who is aiming for a better season than in 2020, where he struggled alongside the departed Daniel Ricciardo.

The A521 will be racing with 40 years of Alpine’s motorsport history attached, and with a new boss taking the reigns, there are plenty of unknowns; Laurent Rossi has replaced Cyril Abiteboul and Davide Brivio, former MotoGP Suzuki boss, becomes the racing director.

The season is due to kick off in under two weeks with a three day testing period at Bahrain, and a clearer picture of who, if anyone, might challenge the mighty Mercedes for top spot.

One thing is certain: the long season ahead will test the teams and drivers like never before.